A 47-year-old Taunton man is facing attempted murder and arson charges after police say he set fire to his own Grant Street home early Tuesday morning. Three residents were guided out of the burning house by first responders, and officials say no one inside or on the fire crews was hurt.
The fire was reported at about 7:11 a.m. at 6 Grant St., according to a joint statement from Fire Chief Steven Lavigne and Police Chief Edward Walsh. Taunton Police Officers Brady Nichols and Jose Colon were first to arrive and found heavy smoke pouring from the second floor. Firefighters pulled up about a minute later and helped the officers get three occupants out of the home. As reported by The Taunton Daily Gazette, the man under arrest is a 47-year-old occupant of the house.
NBC Boston reports that officers took the man into custody at the scene and that authorities have not released his name. Police say they arrived about three minutes after the initial 7:11 a.m. call, and firefighters, who pulled up roughly one minute after that, had the blaze under control in about 35 minutes. According to NBC Boston, the suspect is expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Taunton District Court and the Taunton Fire Department's arson investigator is still working the scene.
Charges and legal stakes
The man is charged with attempted murder and arson, both serious felonies under Massachusetts law. Arson convictions can carry penalties of up to 20 years in state prison and attempts to set fires can carry sentences of up to 10 years, according to FindLaw. Attempted murder is prosecuted under M.G.L. c.265 §16 as a major felony, per Massachusetts case law.
Investigation and next steps
Taunton police and fire officials say investigators are still working to determine exactly how and why the fire started, and that the city's arson investigator remains on scene. The suspect is expected to be arraigned in Taunton District Court, according to NBC Boston.
Local context
The case lands amid a run of high-profile fire responses in Taunton this winter, including a February Plain Street house explosion caused by a natural gas leak that severely injured residents. CBS Boston reported on that earlier blast and the ongoing strain it has put on local emergency crews.
