Groton Telecommunicators - IAFF Local 5378

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 22, 2026

Groton Police Make Arson Arrest After Hotel Fire

GROTON, CT — Groton Police have arrested a hotel resident for arson following an early morning hotel room fire.

On Wednesday, April 22, at approximately 5:34 a.m., the Groton Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a guest of the Flagship Inn & Suites, 470 Gold Star Hwy, Groton, reporting a man was breaking out windows and attempting to light an adjacent room on fire.

Groton Police officers arrived on scene and discovered that a hotel room was on fire. Officers attempted to gain entry but were unsuccessful. Fire personnel subsequently arrived, gained access to the room, and extinguished the fire, which was contained to a single room.

Officers located the room’s occupant, later identified as SHAWN W. BARROWS, 30 YEARS OLD, of GROTON, sitting on a curb a short distance from the room. Following further investigation, it was determined that BARROWS had intentionally set fire to his hotel room.

BARROWS was transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London for evaluation and treatment of possible smoke inhalation. Upon discharge, he was arrested and transported to Groton Police Headquarters, processed and held on a $150,000 bond.

BARROWS’ was a resident at the Flag Ship Inn & Suites, his last known address.

BARROWS has been charged with the following:

- 53a-111, Arson in the First Degree
- 53a-63, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree
- 53a-181, Breach of Peace in the Second Degree

Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department, Submarine Base Fire Department, and the Old Mystic Fire Department provided mutual aid and helped to extinguish the fire. Groton Ambulance personnel also arrived on scene to assist as needed. No injuries were reported as a result of this fire.

Groton Police Detectives and Fire Investigators responded to assist with the investigation. The fire remains under investigation by the Groton Police Department’s Fire Investigation Unit and the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Marshal.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or other criminal activity are encouraged to contact the Groton Police Department at 860-441-6712.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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