Suspect arrested in Christmas Eve arson fire

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A Springfield man has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to a two family home on Christmas Eve, and trying to start a fire in another building days earlier.

Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney told 22News that Lorenzo Gaines, 42, faces arson and other charges.

On December 24, Gaines allegedly set a fire at 185-187 Northampton Avenue ; a two-family home that is listed as his address. Six people were forced out of the home, which was destroyed.

Delaney says investigators found that the fire had been set in four different places in the house. He added that at the time of the fire, arson investigators had observed Gaines near the home, with minor burns on his hands.

Investigators also suspect that three days prior to the Northampton Avenue fire, Gaines had tried to set a fire at 385 Worthington Street; a building that sustained damage in the November gas explosion.

Detectives had obtained a warrant, and arrested Gaines Monday at Probate Court in Springfield. Delaney says that Gaines was at court for a separate domestic matter.

In addition to arson, Gaines is charged with malicious damage to property, disabling a fire alarm (in the Northampton Ave. fire), and two counts of burn personality .

During his arraignment Monday in Springfield District Court, he was ordered held until his next hearing, which will be on January 14.