February 19, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: Chief Erik Costa, 860-638-4100

FIRE INVESTIGATION - 500 WASHINGTON ST

On February 18, 2023 at approximately 10:36pm, Middletown Police Officers were called to an undisclosed unit on the property of 500 Washington Street for a domestic disturbance in a residential trailer. On arrival, a female victim exited the trailer to speak with the police. It was determined that a male inside the trailer, identified as 55-year-old Eugene Boudreau, poured gasoline on the victim and the residence in an effort to light the victim and the trailer on fire.

The female was safely removed from the area and evaluated by ambulance personnel, but ultimately refused treatment. Officers attempted to contact Boudreau and have him exit the trailer but Boudreau refused to come out. Police established a perimeter of the property and evacuated nearby residents. Negotiators responded and maintained contact with Boudreau while Middletown Fire Personnel and Hunters Ambulance staged in the area.

A Middletown Police Department drone was deployed to monitor the situation from a distance due to concerns that Boudreau was armed or that his trailer’s propane tank could be a hazard if ignited. Negotiations with Boudreau remained unsuccessful and he lit the trailer on fire. Within a few minutes of the fire starting, Boudreau exited. Police attempted to negotiate his surrender from a safe distance. Boudreau turned himself over to perimeter officers but only after his trailer was fully engulfed in flames and a neighboring trailer was beginning to catch fire. Once Boudreau was detained, Middletown Fire Personnel entered the scene and extinguished the fire without incident or injury. Boudreau’s actions led to the destruction of his trailer, an adjacent trailer, and two motor vehicles nearby.   

Boudreau suffered burns on his body. He was transported to Middlesex Hospital and airlifted to Bridgeport Hospital’s burn unit where he is in stable condition.

The Middletown Health Department responded and quickly coordinated temporary housing for residents who were displaced from their homes.

Middletown Police Fire Investigators responded and this case remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information pertaining to this event is encouraged to contact Sgt. Daniel Smith of the Middletown Police Special Investigations Unit at 860-638-4131.