Authorities have arrested a man they're calling a "serial arsonist" in connection with a six-alarm fire in Lawrence that damaged several buildings and displaced about a dozen people from their homes.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera announced the arrest of 43-year-old Jason Given on Friday. Given faces arson charges for the six-alarm fire on East Cambridge Street early Thursday morning and for other fires.
No injuries were reported in the fires. Red Cross officials say they helped 12 people in three families displaced by Thursday's fire, which started in a vacant building under construction and spread to a three-unit apartment building.
Given is detained pending a court arraignment Friday. His response to the allegations isn't known. It's not clear if he has a lawyer.
Stay with necn for more as this story develops.
