Holyoke man faces attempted murder charge after setting six fires this week
A 43-year-old suspect was arrested Friday for allegedly igniting a sleeping man's tent and five other structures in the city.
By Nia Foster ·
Six fires were set in Holyoke within a three-day span, prompting authorities to arrest a 43-year-old man on Friday for the series of arsons. The most severe incident involved a tent in which a man was sleeping.
The suspect was apprehended early Friday by Holyoke police and state troopers from the fire marshal’s office. He is scheduled for arraignment in Holyoke District Court on multiple fire-related charges, including attempted murder.
According to the sleeping victim, he woke to find the suspect lighting his tent on fire. The man escaped without injury, while the alleged arsonist fled the scene. Officials noted that the suspect is not yet named publicly.
The fires occurred in two separate bursts. Three fires started on Race Street early Sunday morning, damaging a dumpster, a shed, and a third structure. Three additional fires were discovered on Maple Street shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan stated that any of the fires could have caused serious injury or death in addition to property damage. State Fire Marshal Jon Davine emphasized the unpredictability of the incidents, noting that fire does not follow expectations and can grow to dangerous sizes if unchecked.
