An 18-year-old Hartford man is accused of setting an early morning fire on Babcock Street in Hartford Tuesday.
Jaleel Torres, 18, of Hartford, has been charged with first-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief and interfering with police.
Fire officials said they received a call at 1:17 a.m. Tuesday reporting fire in a vacant building at 159/161 Babcock St., in the city’s Frog Hollow neighborhood.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire coming from the second- and third-floor porches and windows.
Firefighters struck a second alarm and went to work, but the building sustained serious damage.
Police said they found several pieces of evidence at the scene, including a gas can and lighter. They also obtained surveillance video.
As officers were investigating, they received a 911 call from Torres’ father, who said his son had a serious burn to his hand.
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Officers responded and determined the burn victim matched the description of the suspect in the fire.
Torres then fled, but and police found him after a short chase and took him to Hartford Hospital. When he was released, crews transported him to the Hartford police department major crimes division/arson.
No one else was injured in the fire.
