Man wanted for failing to appear to answer to charges he lit fire at historic CT theme park

A man is wanted for failing to answer to charges that he allegedly lit a fire at a historic theme park in Waterbury in the spring.

DeTerrence Smith, 39 of Waterbury, faces charges of second-degree reckless endangerment and open fire kindling without a permit, according to the Waterbury Police Department.

The charges stem from an incident on April 12 when police and firefighters responded at 2:51 p.m. to Holy Land, at 60 Slocum St., on a report of an active brush fire in a wooded area near a monument.

Members of the Waterbury Fire Department were able to put out the fire, police said.

Investigators said evidence at the scene indicated someone had constructed a fire pit and used it. Police noted that, at the time of the brush fire, a Red Flag warning had been issued for the area by the state Department of Environmental Protection due to extremely dry and windy conditions.

Waterbury police said they charged Smith in connection with the fire on Aug. 3. He was released on $1,000 bond pending a hearing in Waterbury Superior Court.

Judicial Branch records reviewed Tuesday said Smith failed to answer to the charges during a scheduled court hearing on Oct. 16, leading to a judge ordering Smith be re-arrested and charged with failure to appear. Court records indicate Smith has not been charged since his missed court appearance.