A 24-year-old Lewiston resident was arrested on arson charges after allegedly starting a fire in his Lisbon Street apartment.
Lewiston police say Christopher Violette started a fire in his apartment Sunday night that displaced more than 15 people. Firefighters were able put out the fire and contain damages to the second and third floors of the building.
The fire was reported just after 8 p.m. Sunday. The building was evacuated and tenants were brought to the police station to stay warm. A police supervisor was not able to say Monday afternoon if there were working smoke detectors in the building because the officers’ report was not yet complete.
Police said an investigation showed the fire started in Apartment 101 on the building’s second floor and that a human element was involved. Evidence linked Violette to the crime, police said.
Violette was charged with Class A arson, a felony, and is being held on $15,000 bail at the Androscoggin County Jail.
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