A 76-year-old Naugatuck woman who intentionally set her apartment on fire in February has pleaded guilty to the charges at Waterbury Superior Court.
According to the Republican-American, Reann Goss will not serve prison time under a plea deal made public this week at Waterbury Superior Court. She's exepcted to serve five years probation, according to the newspaper.
Background
Goss, who was arrested in April, lived on the first floor of a 504 Prospect St. home until February when firefighters extinguished a fire that broke out in her bedroom, prompting an evacuation of the building and a shutdown of Route 68.
The fire occurred while Goss was moving out. Her landlord, who lives upstairs, had just recently evicted her, police said.
Lt. Robert Harrison, Naugatuck police spokesman, said her son and a few friends from his church were helping Goss move out and, as they were removing the last bit of furniture, the son noticed smoke coming from Goss’ bedroom.
Goss was in the kitchen at the time. When the son entered the room the whole bedroom was on fire, Harrison said.
The son alerted the landlord and his family and everybody got out before the fire could cause further damage, poilce said.
Initially, Goss said she may have dropped a cigarette, however she later told police investigators she lit the curtains on fire, Harrison said. But, police and fire officials believe that an accelerant was used to light the mattress.
She later told the landlord that he deserved it, police said.
Nobody was injured in the fire. Goss was charged with first-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree criminal mischief.
