Weston brush fire ruled arson

Weston (WTNH) - Fire officials now say that a Weston brush fire that started at a house under construction was a result of a reckless contractor.

Police have arrested 45-year-old Liberato Fridas of Danbury for third degree arson. They say he did not intentionally start the fire but rather he was reckless in his actions.

The fire broke out around noon at a house on Smith Ridge Road.

Gusty winds quickly fanned the flames, sending embers into the nearby woods, sparking brush fires.

"All the large embers that were coming from the house, they were large pieces and because of the strong winds and it would just go into the woods and start fires in lots of different spots," said Deputy Chief Joe Abruzzi, Weston Volunteer Fire Department.

Flames even spread to a neighbor's deck. Residents were told to evacuate or pitch in and provide water to the first responders.

"It was scary. We had to hose down the barn and put out buckets of water near there," said homeowner, Jim Magee.

One firefighter was treated for a back injury, another for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters expect to be in the neighborhood for most of the night, putting out hot spots.

Fridas is being held on $100,000 bond and is expected to appear in Norwalk Superior Court tomorrow.