An Everett man, Prasiddha Baruwal, facing charges for allegedly starting a fire at the Squealing Pig pub in Boston's Mission Hill, has been deemed not competent to stand trial. During a court hearing on Friday, reports from NBC Boston indicated that the judge accepted a motion from Baruwal's attorneys on the basis of his mental competency, or lack thereof. The 23-year-old attempted to speak several times during the hearing but was advised by his lawyer against it.
Baruwal was ordered to undergo a mental competency exam after his arrest in connection with the June 26 fire, which caused significant damage to the pub, known for being a fixture in its community. Arson, breaking and entering, and malicious destruction of property are the formal charges Baruhal faces, and the hearing showed that a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, as evidenced in the report from MassLive. Baruwal's next court appearance is scheduled for August 20.
The fire, which firefighters managed to control within 15 minutes, left the Squealing Pig entirely destroyed. Authorities declared the property a total loss. Despite the quick response, the damage extended to a nearby light pole and street sign. The incident's aftermath left regular patrons, such as Northeastern student Joe Abell, expressing frustration over the senseless nature of the crime, telling NBC Boston, "It's a really nice spot, yeah pretty insane to think that someone would want to intentionally do that."
According to information from Hoodline, Baruwal was arrested the day after the fire, with the Boston Police Fire Investigation Unit successfully apprehending the suspect less than 24 hours after being called to the scene. The Squealing Pig's role as a popular local gathering place magnified the impact of the event, with the community feeling a keen sense of loss. Details regarding Baruwal's motive or the method used to start the fire have not been publicly released, with the investigation by authorities ongoing.
