Two individuals have been detained in connection with an arson incident that occurred in March, the aftermath of which left a shed destroyed and a Springfield home damaged. Nelson Martins, 51, and Wendy Champagne, 47, were apprehended by Massachusetts State Police Troopers on Wednesday, May 21, following an intensive investigation by the Springfield Arson & Bomb Squad that also featured Arson K9 Gregg, who is instrumental to the investigative process.
The fire, having ravaged through the storage structure on March 1, prompted a prompt response by firefighters and officers on Kamuda Street, where the suspects were identified through investigative work, as stated in a release by Springfield Police Department. With no reported injuries, the focus swiftly shifted to uncovering the intention behind the flames. According to authorities, the fire was found to be a deliberate act.
Martins and Champagne were both undergoing eviction from the property at the time, with their landlord citing failure to pay rent. Prior to their arrest, a detective had sought and secured a warrant on May 14, which charged both individuals with arson. The suspects were eventually located and arrested on Canal Street in Ware by a team comprising members from multiple units, including the State Police Fire Marshals Unit and the State Police VFAS.
Martins, hailing from Ludlow, faces additional charges, including an arrest warrant from Springfield District Court and default warrants from Dudley and Ayer District Courts, and an arrest warrant from Marlborough District Court. On the other hand, the charges levied against Champagne, a resident of Ware, comprise an arrest warrant for arson from the Springfield District Court.
