JAY — A local man was arrested in Portland this week, charged with setting a fire at his Oak Street home last month.
Christopher White, 51, of 11 Oak St. was arrested by investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office with setting the fire that damaged the home, two vehicles and a motorcycle.
White, who suffered minor burns in the blaze, was taken to the Cumberland County Jail in Portland but was later released on bail.
On Sept. 18, Jay police responded to a report of smoke at White’s home about 5:39 p.m. They found a car on fire and flames were spreading to a truck parked nearby. The first responding officer was allegedly confronted by a resident at the house, Jay police Chief Richard Caton IV said after the incident.
The man told a Jay police officer to call the State Police Tactical Team because he was “‘not coming out alive,’” Caton said at the time.
There was a shotgun and a rifle in his possession and in view, but the man did not threaten anyone, the chief said.
Livermore Falls, Wilton and state police responded. The tactical team was called but canceled. The man came out of the residence peacefully and had a shotgun with him that he put down, Caton said. Livermore Falls police helped talk the man out of the house.
White is schedule to make his first court appearance on the arson charge in November.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
