Squatter Charged In Fire That Destroyed Main Street Building

HARTFORD A squatter who police say accidentally set fire to a vacant four-story building at Main Street and Albany Avenue Thursday morning was ordered held on $100,000 bail after his arraignment on charges of reckless burning and criminal trespass.

Kenneth Onalty, 46, had been living in the building for several months and on Thursday set some papers on fire to keep warm, according to a statement he gave to police. He insisted, however, that he extinguished the fire, the statement said.

Firefighters were called to 1363 Main St. about 3:45 a.m. and when they arrived had to rescue Onalty from the building's second floor. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation, and later charged.

The fire heavily damaged the building, forced police to close surrounding streets through the evening rush hourand also closed Capital Preparatory Magnet School, which is across Main Street from the building. Students could not reach the school because the street was shut down.

City spokeswoman Hilda Muoz said Thursday afternoon that the city hired Environmental Services Inc. of South Windsor to demolish the building. Crews set up fencing around the site and planned to remove a billboard atop the building Thursday night. The building is scheduled to be demolished Friday, she said.

The 1890s brick building is part of a block of existing structures the city hopes will be renovated now that development in the nearby Downtown North area is underway. Downtown North, on the edge of downtown, will feature a minor league baseball stadium, apartments, a supermarket and a brewery. Construction on the stadium began in February.

During his arraignment Thursday afternoon in Superior Court, Onalty became angry about the bail set in his case, discussions about his mental health and the reckless-burning charge filed against him.

"Excuse me your honor, there's nothing wrong with my mental health," Onalty said. He insisted that he had nothing to do with the fire, which he said began on the building's third floor, not the second floor where he was staying.

"I'm here for trespassing, that's it," he said.

When Judge Joan K. Alexander set bail at $100,000, Onalty became even more angry and yelled and swore. Marshals escorted him out of the courtroom, and an unfazed Alexander ordered that Onalty undergo a competency evaluation.

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Squatter Charged In Fire That Destroyed Main Street Building