By Jesse Leavenworth
Journal Inquirer
DERBY, Conn. — A Derby man whose house was badly damaged in a fire early Friday is accused of attacking his next-door neighbor with a hammer during the blaze, according to police.
Andrew Fogarty is charged with second-degree assault, home invasion and disorderly conduct, police said. Also, while searching Fogarty, officers found he had taped metal plates to his body as makeshift armor, police said in a news release.
Fogarty’s age was not immediately available.
Firefighters had responded to Fogarty’s Roosevelt Drive home at about 3 a.m. Friday and found a working fire in the 2.5-story house, with heavy smoke showing, fire officials said. Firefighters were at the scene for about two hours dousing the blaze, with aid from Ansonia and Shelton fire departments.
As officers responded to the fire, they learned Fogarty had snuck into his next-door neighbor’s home and hit a resident there with a hammer, according to police. Neither the severity of the victim’s injuries nor their condition was immediately available late Friday afternoon.
The fire marshal and Derby police detectives are investigating the cause of the blaze. Derby Assistant Fire Chief Louis Oliwa said state police arson investigators also are involved in the investigation into blaze.
Oliwa said three people were displaced by the fire, including Fogarty, and all the residents got out of the house on their own. One person had to be treated for smoke inhalation, he said.
The house was deemed uninhabitable and the American Red Cross was helping displaced residents. The house is not a total loss and can be repaired, although firefighters broke out several windows and punched a hole in the roof, Oliwa said.
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