Delaware County Men Accused of Plotting Explosion

Two Delaware County men are accused of opening a natural gas line valve and setting a fire at a property on Burton Street in the Village of Walton.

Sheriff’s officials found the fire at the home at around 11:15 p.m. January 10 and the Walton Fire Department quickly put it out and the gas line was shut down.

Initially, officers responded to the report of the fire and the blaze was put out by firefighters.  Then, after the fire was out, officers were forced out of the house due to almost being overcome by the smoke.  That’s when they heard a hissing noise, went back into the building and found the open gas line in the area of the fire, quickly shutting it down averting a potential explosion.

The joint investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Walton Police tracked down 31 year old David Thompson of Walton and 38 year old Henry Stellato III of Hamden.

Both are both charged with felony arson & burglary.

Thompson is also charged with felony counts of attempted criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

Authorities say their investigation developed information indicating that Stellato asked Thompson to get into the house to intentionally cause the fire and attempt to cause an explosion.

The house sustained minor fire damage.

Thompson and Stellato were both held to the Delaware County Jail.