Arson victims react to dismissed charges

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The Northwestern District Attorney's Office announced on Monday that they are dropping arson and homicide charges against Anthony Baye.

Anthony Baye remains in jail on $150,000 bail, but he faces minor charges like lying to police.

In the meantime, the DA's office is launching a new investigation since Baye's taped confession has been thrown out .

Two days after Christmas back in 2009, many families in Northampton woke up in the middle of the night to multiple massive fires.

One of those fires killed a father and a son on Fair Street.

Then in January 2010, Anthony Baye of Northampton admitted to setting most of those fires.

Many houses like this on Fair Street have been rebuilt since then, but many people said, they'll never forget the night when 11 houses and cars were destroyed.

Michelle Eastman of Northampton told 22News, “Between the time when we didn't know who did it till he was charged or brought in for questioning. It was a relief.”

Eastman's garage burnt to the ground that December night. Her family told 22News, Michelle was lucky her only losses were the garage and her car.

Kathelle Eastman, Michelle’s mother, told 22News, “She made it out alive... Material things can be replaced.”

She said, if the firefighters didn’t get to Eastman’s Northern Ave. house when they did, her entire house would have caught on fire.

Michelle’s sister Misty McMillan of Florence said, “I feel for the families that lost their loved ones. Michelle was able to rebuild her life. They literally rebuilt their garage and got a new car and moved on with her life, but still.. people that lost their loved ones. It's really sad.”

They said, they were shocked when they heard arson and homicide charges against Baye are being dismissed.

McMillan said, “It’s not a comfortable feeling... to put it that way. I'm sure residents of Northampton aren't going to feel the greatest about it either.”

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.

Call State Police Arson Hotline at (800) 682-9229, the Northampton Police Detectives Unit at (413) 587-1100, or you can anonymously text a tip to the Northwestern DA's office by texting "PROTECT" and your message to 274637.