The state Fire Marshal’s Office and Topsham Police have arrested a 21-year-old man and charged him with arson in connection with a Tuesday night fire on the Brunswick Naval Air Station Annex.

Authorities said they arrested Robi Saputra Wednesday night in the parking lot of Merrymeeting Condos in Topsham, where he lives. The fire destroyed an abandoned apartment house at the annex in Topsham, according to authorities. Investigators said the fire started when a recliner was set on fire in an outside storage building. The fire spread to a carport and then to the four-unit apartment house, according to a release that was sent out this morning.

Authorities said Saputra and three friends were on the annex Tuesday night, but the the other friends were not involved in the fire.

Saputra is being held at the Two Bridges Jail in Wiscasset. He was also charged with violating his bail conditions on a prior drug offense. Because of the prior offense, Saputra is not eligible for bail until he has a court hearing, scheduled for Friday.

This story was revised at 1:50 p.m., Aug. 19. 2010, to reflect the following correction: Robi Saputra was also charged with violating his bail conditions on a prior drug offense.


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.