The Office of State Fire Marshal said Saturday that arson arrests have been made in two unrelated fires in Standish and Lewiston.

Willie York, 38, of Standish is accused of entering his estranged wife’s home on Richville Road and setting fire to the bedroom on Oct. 25, according to a news release from Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

York was arrested Thursday with assistance from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. He is also charged with burglary, assault and criminal mischief in connection with the domestic violence incident. The assault allegedly involved a man in Westbrook. York was being held at the Cumberland County Jail in Portland.

In Lewiston, Michelle DesCoteaux, 48, of Lewiston, was arrested Thursday on an arson charge in connection with a fire at a Main Street apartment house on Nov. 2. The fire occurred near mailboxes in the front entryway of the house, located in the 500 block. Minor damage resulted, and there were no injuries.

DesCoteaux was being held at the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn in lieu of $10,000 bail.


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