Stuart was listed in fair condition Thursday at Baystate Medical Center.
LUDLOW – Investigators have determined that the fire that broke out in the Center Street home of retired Springfield police officer George W. Stuart Wednesday morning was intentionally set.
A request made to police to check on the well-being of a resident at the 795 Center St. home was followed a few minutes later by a reported fire at that address. Those two incidents set the stage for an 8½ standoff between the armed and suicidal Stuart and local and state police.
Stuart, 71, suffered a self-inflicted gunshot to the abdomen, according to Springfield Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet who was with Stuart and attempted to disarm him.
Stuart was in fair condition Thursday at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. His condition was not available today.
Jennifer Mieth, a spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal’s office, said state Trooper Michael Mazza, working with Ludlow fire investigators, determined that an ignitable liquid was used to accelerate the blaze.
Retired police officer George Stuart, who was shot during an armed standoff in Ludlow Wednesday, is seen in happier times in this undated photo supplied by WSHM-TV, CBS3, Springfield.The fire began just two hours after Stuart was supposed to appear at an 8:30 a.m. hearing in Hampden Probate and Family Court in Springfield as part of his ongoing divorce.
Ludlow police have released little on the status of their investigation following a press release issued late Wednesday.
Fitchet and Ludlow Police Chief James J. McGowan had been part of a negotiating team trying to talk Stuart into surrendering, according to a press release from Ludlow police.
"At approximately 7:19 p.m., Chief McGowan reported that the involved subject had discharged his weapon causing injury to himself as Commissioner Fitchet bravely attempted to disarm him," the release stated.
Fitchet has declined to elaborate on his role in the matter, citing the continuing investigation by Ludlow police. He did say the incident was handled professionally by Ludlow police over the course of the day. "Long negotiations took place. It was difficult. Unfortunately it resulted in a self-inflicted gunshot," he said.
Neighbors have said they were stunned by fire and the massive response by state and local police that ensued.