Conn. Gen. Stat. » Title 53a — PENAL CODE · Chapter 952 — Penal Code: Offenses
Connecticut General Statutes

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-114 (2025)

Reckless burning: Class D felony

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(a) A person is guilty of reckless burning when he intentionally starts a fire or causes an explosion, whether on his own property or another's, and thereby recklessly places a building, as defined in section 53a-100, of another in danger of destruction or damage.

(b) Reckless burning is a class D felony.

(1969, P.A. 828, S. 116; P.A. 79-570, S. 6; P.A. 80-229, S. 4; P.A. 92-260, S. 47.)

History: P.A. 79-570 made reckless burning a Class D felony rather than a Class A misdemeanor; P.A. 80-229 added reference to building definition in Sec. 53a-100; P.A. 92-260 made a technical change in Subsec. (a).

Cited. 197 C. 158; 200 C. 268.

Cited. 41 CA 701.

Subsec. (a):

The phrase “of another” applies plainly and unambiguously to any proprietary or possessory interest in the endangered building by someone other than the defendant, whether exclusive or nonexclusive. 203 CA 333.

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1985–2025 · leading case: In re Kevin K., 951 A.2d 39 (Conn. App. Ct. 2008).
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In re Kevin K., 951 A.2d 39 (Conn. App. Ct. 2008). · cites it 16× “The respondent, a minor child, appeals from the trial court's judgment adjudicating him a delinquent for having committed the crimes of reckless burning in violation of General Statutes § 53a-114 [1] *42 and making a false statement in the second degree in violation of General…”
State v. Capasso, 248 A.3d 58 (Conn. App. Ct. 2021). · cites it 13× “The defendant’s claim distills into two closely related parts, namely, that the state failed to prove that (1) the defendant did not have an ownership interest in the house, and (2) the house at 145 Bloomingdale Road was owned by someone other than the defendant.”
State v. O'Neill, 511 A.2d 321 (Conn. 1986). · cites it 6× “II The defendant also claims that the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury, as requested, on the lesser *278 included offenses of arson in the third degree, General Statutes § 53a-113, 6 and reckless burning, General Statutes § 53a-114.”
State v. Servello, 835 A.2d 102 (Conn. App. Ct. 2003). · cites it 2× “The defendant claimed that he was to plead guilty to the reduced charge of reckless burning in violation of General Statutes § 53a-114 and criminal mischief in the second degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-116, and be sentenced to six years imprisonment, execution…”
State v. Rose, 679 A.2d 19 (Conn. App. Ct. 1996). · cites it 4× “The defendant appeals from the judgment of conviction, rendered after a jury trial, of unlawful restraint in the first degree in violation of General Statutes § 53U-95, 1 threatening in violation of General Statutes § 53a-62 (a) (2), 2 reckless burning in violation *703 of…”
State v. Williams, 760 A.2d 948 (Conn. App. Ct. 2000). · cites it 2× “Williams, appeals from the judgment of conviction rendered following his guilty plea under the Alford doctrine 1 to the crimes of attempt to commit assault in the second degree in violation of General Statutes §§ 53a-49 and 53a-60, and reckless burning in violation of General…”
In re Kevin K., 7 A.3d 898 (Conn. 2010). · cites it 2× “The petitioner, the state of Connecticut, appeals, following our granting of certification, from the judgment of the Appellate Court, which reversed the trial court’s judgment adjudicating the respondent minor, Kevin K, delinquent for having committed the crimes of reckless…”
State v. Parmalee, 496 A.2d 186 (Conn. 1985). “The purpose of § 53a-113 8 (arson in the third degree) was to penalize those who actually damaged another’s property through recklessness, and the purpose of § 53a-114 9 (arson in the fourth degree) was to penalize those who endanger another’s property through recklessness.”
State v. Valle, 349 A.3d 603 (Conn. App. Ct. 2025). · cites it 4× “6 On May 5 General Statutes § 53a-114 provides in relevant part: ‘‘(a) A person is guilty of reckless burning when he intentionally starts a fire or causes an explosion, whether on his own property or another’s, and thereby recklessly places a building .”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-114(a): 1 case
In re Kevin K., 951 A.2d 39 (Conn. App. Ct. 2008). “The respondent, a minor child, appeals from the trial court's judgment adjudicating him a delinquent for having committed the crimes of reckless burning in violation of General Statutes § 53a-114 [1] *42 and making a false statement in the second degree in violation of General…”
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