Derby Pizzeria Owners Say Fire Behind Restaurant Was Arson

This article dives into a disturbing Thanksgiving night arson behind Derby’s beloved Roseland Apizza. Fast work by firefighters and police kept the blaze from turning into a holiday nightmare.

Let’s break down what happened, how Derby’s first responders contained the fire in minutes, and why this case matters to communities all over Connecticut—from New Haven and Bridgeport to Waterbury, Milford, Shelton, Ansonia, Hamden, and West Haven.

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Thanksgiving Fire Behind Roseland Apizza in Derby

While most people were finishing turkey and gathering with family, a fire broke out behind Roseland Apizza on Hawthorne Avenue in Derby. This longtime neighborhood favorite draws pizza lovers from Derby, Ansonia, Shelton, and beyond.

Officials said the blaze started in a shed behind the restaurant. Even on a holiday, Derby’s fire crews rushed to the scene, making sure the fire didn’t turn into a bigger disaster for nearby homes and businesses.

Fire Contained in About 10 Minutes

Derby firefighters contained the blaze in roughly 10 minutes. That kind of response matters, especially in tightly packed neighborhoods where flames can jump between old buildings in a flash.

No one got hurt, and firefighters kept the flames from reaching the restaurant itself. For a spot as cherished as Roseland Apizza—where folks come in from Milford, Bridgeport, and all over—the quick response meant a close call, not a catastrophe.

Restaurant Calls Incident a Deliberate Arson

Once the smoke cleared, the owners took to social media to update customers. In a Facebook post, they shared that the fire wasn’t just bad luck—it was intentional.

The restaurant called it arson, saying someone had deliberately set the shed on fire. That public confirmation rattled Derby and nearby towns like Shelton and Hamden, where people pay close attention to any hint of violent or reckless crime.

Gratitude for First Responders and Determination to Reopen

Despite the shock, the owners focused on gratitude. They thanked Derby firefighters and police for their quick response, making it clear that first responders saved the restaurant from real harm.

In a move that probably felt familiar to small business owners across Connecticut, they announced Roseland Apizza would open as usual at 3 p.m. the next day. For loyal customers traveling in from Waterbury and West Haven, that was a sign the restaurant wasn’t about to let arson close its doors.

Derby Police Track Down Suspect Using Surveillance Video

While firefighters battled the flames, Derby police turned immediately to the question of who set the fire. Surveillance cameras behind the restaurant caught crucial evidence.

Investigators checked the footage and saw a man setting the blaze in the shed. That video led to a fast identification and showed why security cameras matter for local businesses in Derby, New Haven, Bridgeport, and beyond.

Suspicious Activity on Minerva Street Leads to Arrest

Not long after, Derby officers got a separate report about a suspicious person trying to get into an apartment building on Minerva Street. When police arrived, they recognized the 27-year-old man from the restaurant’s surveillance video.

Officers took him into custody without anyone getting hurt. This quick arrest, tying the arson to the Minerva Street incident, shows how coordinated response and alert residents can help solve cases fast—something folks across the Naugatuck Valley and the I-95 corridor count on every day.

Serious Charges and a High Bond

The 27-year-old suspect faces several serious charges related to the Derby fire. Police say the charges reflect the deliberate nature of the act and the danger it posed to life and property.

Authorities charged the suspect with:

Second-degree arson

First-degree criminal mischief

First-degree reckless endangerment

Second-degree breach of peace

He’s being held on a $100,000 bond. That kind of number shows just how seriously the court system views arson, especially in neighborhoods with both homes and businesses. In places from Ansonia to Waterbury, people know a fire set on purpose in a spot like this could have had deadly consequences.

Community Vigilance and Support for Derby Businesses

As the legal process moves forward, Derby’s attention shifts to backing Roseland Apizza and staying alert together. Folks around here know how important it is to look out for each other.

Business surveillance systems can give police solid video evidence.

Residents reporting suspicious activity right away helps officers act fast.

Strong coordination between fire and police teams makes a real difference.

If you’re coming from New Haven, Bridgeport, or Milford, you’ll see local businesses holding strong. First responders are on standby, and Derby’s community isn’t letting its guard down—not on Thanksgiving, not ever.

Here is the source article for this story: Owners of Derby pizzeria say fire behind the restaurant was arson

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