Cops Say Vermont Man Set Blazes for Infertility

Bennington, Vermont police say a member of the fire department charged with setting fire to his wife’s home twice wanted to get enough insurance money to pay for surgery so she could become pregnant.

Forty-one-year-old Ralph Brown was ordered held without bail Wednesday after pleading not guilty to a variety of charges.

Brown’s 34-year-old wife Stacy Brown and 26-year-old Joseph Thomas were also charged.

Police say Ralph Brown set fire to his home on Friday morning and then again on Saturday night.

Police say the first fire was stared by crossing wires in the basement of the house. The second was started with a torch.

Town officials say Brown was a volunteer for the fire department who would keep a fire scene secure. He was not a firefighter.