Arson suspected in fire that destroyed home

NEW MILFORD — While the snow was beginning to fall in Thursday’s massive storm, Rich Mrozinski was standing barefoot outside his Cedar Hill Road home, watching it burn.

Mrozinski, 59, and his ex-wife, Caroline Dwy, along with her two dogs, had managed to get out of the blazing home just before the floor caved in, ducking underneath smoke that blackened Dwy’s blonde hair.

Mrozinski’s cousin, who has lived with him on and off for the past three years, also escaped.

Dwy had finished moving her things into the house only hours earlier. She had sold her own home recently, and planned to stay with Mrozinski until she found a new one.

The couple divorced years ago, but remain friendly, they said.

All her belongings are gone now, Dwy said. And it took four washes — a whole bottle of shampoo — to get the black soot out of her hair.

Authorities believe the fire was intentionally set. Police said they are investigating.

Only a husk remains of the ranch-style modular home, which Mrozinski built in 1999.

“After living here for 17 years, you don’t think something like this is going to happen,” he said Friday, standing outside the house in the freezing cold.

The home was insured, Mrozinski said, but all his belongings, except for a few documents and some keys, are gone.

He and Dwy have been staying with next-door neighbors since the fire and plan to remain there for the next few days. Where they’ll go after that is unknown, Mrozinski said.

Brian Ohmen, New Milford’s fire marshal, said five area fire departments responded to the fire and that smoke detectors likely saved lives.

A closer view of the damage that was caused to the home.

Mrozinski’s home show signifigant damage from the fire.

H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media Richard Mrozinski in front of his Gaylordsville home which was destroyed by an early morning fire on Thursday in New Milford.