Man released from burn unit in court

OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (WTNH) -- A man who was taken out of his burning Old Saybrook house handcuffed to a stretcher faced a judge Monday.

The court date comes after he spent the weekend in the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Unit under police guard.

The court papers have been sealed, but during Glenn Alburtus's first appearance in court News 8 learned he is facing serious charges which could get even more serious.

"Do you have any questions in regards to the terms of the order? No."

Sixty-year-old Alburtus appears in Middletown Superior Court wearing a blue hooded jumpsuit.

No signs of the injuries he suffered during a fire at his Old Saybrook home sending him to the burn unit at Bridgeport Hospital.

His wife, Susan, was also sent to the hospital.

She was screaming for help from the second floor when police arrived at the burning home Friday morning.

Neighbors say she had to jump to escape the flames.

Alburtus is charged with threatening, reckless endangerment, unlawful restraint, and disorderly conduct.

Neighbors say they only knew him as a retired grandfather who would sometimes have his grandchildren visit.

"We really don't know anything about them at all," said Tony Lyons, "which is unusual because they live two doors away from us."

Neighbors say they never heard yelling coming from the Beaver Dam Trail home before Friday and Alburtus has no criminal record.

While News 8 was in court we did learn Alburtus could face more serious felony charges. According to the state prosecutor those could include a few counts of arson and attempted murder.

The prosecutor also told the court Alburtus said he would commit another crime if released.

Alburtus was ordered held on $500,000 bond and if he gets out he has to stay away from his family, which includes his wife Susan as well as their children and grandchildren.