LIVERMORE FALLS – State fire investigators arrested a 15-year-old Livermore Falls area boy Monday in connection with an intentionally set fire Sunday at a house at 23 Richardson Ave.
“We have the person responsible in custody,” state fire investigator Sgt. Joel Davis said Monday.
The teenager was arrested on charges of arson and burglary at 12:30 a.m. Monday and was taken to Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn. He was then transferred to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, Davis said.
The fire started in the dining room and may have had more than one point of origin, Davis said.
He estimated the damage to the vacant house owned by Charlene Kersey-Newcomb of Stoneham at about $30,000. Kersey-Newcomb had moved out of the house about 45 days ago and had it up for sale, Davis said.
Four investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office were on the scene Monday to collect evidence to try to determine what was used to start the fire.
Investigator Richard Shepard brought in Midnight, a black Labrador retriever dog trained in accelerant detection, to help with the case.
Evidence collected will be sent to the state crime laboratory for analysis, according to Davis.
Firefighters from three towns saved the vacant house from being destroyed with a quick response. Firefighters had been gathered downtown in Livermore Falls for a 9/11 ceremony when the fire was reported at 6:18 p.m. Sunday.
The dining room floor and furniture in it was damaged by fire, and the rest of the 2-story home had smoke and heat damage, Livermore Falls Fire Chief Ken Jones said Sunday.
State fire investigators were also on the scene Sunday night to conduct an investigation.
Davis said he believed that Kersey-Newcomb had insurance on the building.
The teenager was familiar with the house, Davis said, because he had known family members when they lived there.
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