BIDDEFORD — A Biddeford man was arrested Monday in connection with an arson fire that occurred on Sunday.

Investigators with the Maine Office of the State Fire Marshal and Biddeford Police arrested Jason McGarey, 40, at his home at 235 Pool St., at about 4 p.m., for allegedly setting a fire at a two-unit apartment building at 5 Simard Ave.

McGarey is charged with arson and burglary. After questioning, McGarey was taken to the York County Jail in Alfred, police said.

The fire marshal’s office said McGarey broke into the second floor of the two-story building and set several fires, according to Maine Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland.

McGarey’s former girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child, lived in the second-floor unit until recently, said McCausland.

The unit was empty at the time of the fire after a police event had occurred at the apartment earlier this month, said Biddeford Police Chief Joseph Warren.

The fire was discovered by police officers who responded to a call by the homeowners, who live on the first floor, according to McCausland. The homeowners had reported hearing an intruder on the second floor.

The fire department was notified of the blaze at about 8:10 p.m. It took about one hour to get the fire under control.

No one was injured in the fire, said Warren, which was contained to the second floor. Those living in the building included a man, a woman and a dog, he said.

Investigators said there was no connection between the Simard Avenue fire and the one that occurred Sept. 18 at 35 Main St. That fire is still under investigation, McCausland said.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].