FREEPORT — A 21-year-old man was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson and burglary in connection with a fire that destroyed a Route 1 plumbing and heating business late Monday night.

According to the state fire marshal’s office, Christopher Veysey was arrested by Fire Investigator Danny Young at a bus station in Portland. Veysey was allegedly boarding the bus for South Carolina at about 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Fire Chief Darrel Fournier said the fire at Bob Miles & Son, 1162 Route 1, was reported at 11 p.m. Monday night. He said the department received assistance from Brunswick, Topsham, Yarmouth, and Pownal and had the fire under control within about an hour and a half.

The last firefighters left the scene at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“I’m very pleased with the cooperation on scene from all the area fire departments,” Fournier said.

Fournier said the building, valued at $170,000, was a total loss; the value of its contents was estimated at $300,000.

Advertisement

Fournier said investigators, with the help of the Freeport Police Department the fire marshall’s office, were able to link evidence at the scene to Veysey.

“Working together helped lead to a quick arrest,” he said. 

Fournier said there were three burning vehicles in the rear of the building and one that had self-extinguished. There were four other cars that had broken windows and appeared to be broken into, he said.

According to the fire marshal’s office, Veysey, who is originally from Hartland, was charged with one count of arson and nine counts of burglary. He reportedly did not have a vehicle, but made his way to Portland. He is also suspected to have committed burglaries on Monday in Guilford, according to the state Department of Public Safety.

Freeport police Lt. Susan Nourse said many officers assisted in the investigation including Detective Gino Bianchini, Sgt. Nathanial Goodman, and Officers Tom Gabbard, Michael McMannus and Matt Moorhouse. 

“This was a very active investigation,” she said.

Veysey was being held at the Cumberland County Jail. His bail was set at $300,000.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net. Follow Amy on Twitter: @amy_k_anderson.

Sidebar Elements


Firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Bob Miles Plumbing & Heating business at 1162 Route 1 in Freeport at about 11 p.m. Monday. A suspect was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under: