A 48-year-old man faces multiple charges in connection with setting a fire in his unit of a four-story apartment building.

By Ronni Newton

A 48-year-old West Hartford man was arrested Friday night and faces multiple charges, including first-degree criminal attempt at arson murder, in connection with a fire at 98 Caya Avenue that was reported at 3:37 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Responders to the scene heavy smoke coming from a third floor unit, but crews were able to knock down the fire in less than 10 minutes after the first fire department units arrived.

West Hartford firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, minimizing damage which was contained to the unit of origin.

“Due to the nature of the fire, The West Hartford Fire Marshals Office requested Arson Detectives from both West Hartford PD and the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosive Investigative Unit to respond to investigate further,” West Hartford Police Capt. Aaron Vafiades said Saturday.

Vafiades said that West Hartford Police were advised that Roman Ruben, 48, of his own volition went to the Hartford Police Department on Friday night and told them he had set the fire in his own apartment. He was interviewed by West Hartford detectives and the Fire Marshal’s Office and confessed “that he intentionally started the fire to cause harm to others within the apartment building.”

Ruben was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal attempt at arson murder, first-degree reckless endangerment, and risk of injury to a minor.

He is being held on $1.5 million surety bond.

“The West Hartford Police Department would like to thank our Public Safety Dispatchers, and West Hartford Fire Department Members whose quick actions limited property damage and prevented the loss of life. We would also like to thank the Hartford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit for their assistance,” Vafiades said.

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