GLOUCESTER — A local man has been arrested in connection with a series of fires set in large metal trash receptacles across the city Wednesday night.
According to a joint statement from Gloucester’s Police Chief Edward Conley and Fire Chief Eric Smith, the first incident was reported around 9:20 p.m. at 50 Bass Avenue, where Gloucester firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze in a trash receptacle. Over the next two hours, firefighters responded to four additional fires at 63 Rogers Street, 205 Main Street, 287 Main Street, and near the Harbor Loop area.
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
Following an investigation, police identified Bruce Nichols, 37, of Gloucester, as the individual believed to have set the initial fire.
Nichols was arrested and charged with burning of personal property. Police said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
Police believe these were isolated incidents and emphasized that there is no threat to the general public.
The incident remains under investigation by the Gloucester Police Department and the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
