From around the state: arson charges in Livermore Falls; house burns destroyed in China fire

Fri, 02/02/2018 - 2:15pm
    The State Fire Marshal's Office says a Livermore Falls man has been charged with arson in connection with a fire at his home last month.  Colton Webster, 26, turned himself into the Androscoggin County jail Thursday evening after his release from a hospital.  Webster had been undergoing evaluation since the fire on Jan. 19 that badly damaged a detached garage at the home he  shares with his father at 249 Fayette Road.  Fire Investigators say Webster set fire to cardboard and clothing in the garage and then called 911.  He was taken into custody at the fire scene by the Livermore Falls Police Dept. and taken to the hospital for evaluation.  His bail was set at $5,000. 
     
    Fire destroyed a home and an attached garaged in China along Route 3 late last night. A State Police Detective, driving by the fire scene, went into the burning house and helped bring one of the homeowners to safety. 
     
    The house was flattened in the fire and Fire Marshals say because of the damage, they will be be able to determine the cause.  The fire started in the attached garage, which was heated by a woodstove.  The house is owned by Rita and Richard Lessard. 
     
    Mrs. Lessard was awakened by smoke detectors and called 911 to report the fire.  Her 82 year old husband was still inside the house just as Detective Scott Quintero was driving by before firefighters arrived.  He went into the house and escorted Lessard to safety.  Rita was not injured, but Richard was taken to the hospital to be checked out for smoke inhalation.  The couple lost all of their possessions and two vehicles in the fire