Man says he was held captive in room 20 years and set fire to escape, but stepmother denies all

Waterbury, Conn. — A Connecticut man who said he was held captive for 20 years was rescued after setting fire to his room and telling first responders he did it to gain his freedom, police said Wednesday.

The man's stepmother was charged with cruelty and kidnapping.

Waterbury first responders rescued the emaciated 32-year-old man from an upstairs room after they were deployed to a house fire last month, police said in a statement. While being treated for smoke inhalation, he revealed that he intentionally set the blaze.