A fire that rocked a Stamford home earlier this week is now being called intentional, and authorities say the man responsible may have had a financial motive.
On Friday morning, firefighters were called to a home on Mill Road after heavy smoke was spotted billowing from the house. Luckily, the Stamford Fire Department was quick to respond, and they managed to save the home from complete destruction.
But after the smoke cleared, investigators from the Vermont Department of Public Safety Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit began digging into the cause of the fire. It didn’t take long for them to uncover that this fire was no accident—it was arson.
According to the investigation, 31-year-old Joseph Pallas is accused of setting the fire on purpose. Not only that, but authorities believe he was trying to commit insurance fraud. Pallas has been cited on charges of 1st-degree arson and insurance fraud.
Now, Pallas will face a court date in February, where he’ll answer for his actions. This case serves as a reminder that while firefighters risk their lives to save people’s homes, others may go to extreme lengths to try and scam the system.
Stay tuned as this story develops, and let’s hope justice is served!