HARPSWELL

State fire marshal investigators have determined the cause of a fire that killed two pets and destroyed a mobile home in Harpswell early Wednesday morning was arson.

According to the office, Bradley Wallace, 30, was taken to the Cumberland County Jail after being treated for burns and cuts at Mid Coast Hospital. He has been charged with arson for the fire that destroyed the mobile home he was renting at 92 Sunset Cove Road on Great Island.

Investigators say the blaze started in his bedroom about 6 a.m., likely from paper products that were set on fire.

Three other people spending the night at the home escaped without injury. They were alerted to the fire by Wallace, after they also smelled smoke, according to the office. Wallace’s two dogs, however, died in the fire.

Harpswell Neck Fire Chief David Mercier said a neighbor told him he was getting ready for work when he heard glass breaking, then saw one of the residents escaping from a window. The neighbor, who knew there were three other people in the residence, ran to the home and helped get them out before firefighters arrived.

Three Harpswell fire departments were able to contain the fire, which was under control within an hour, he said.

Crews battled the fire for more than four hours in snow and cold. No firefighters were injured.

Mercier said the home was a total loss.

Four fire marshal investigators were assisted by Cumberland County deputies at the scene.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says Wallace was renting the home. It’s unclear if Wallace has an attorney.

According to the town’s online assessing records, the mobile home was built in 1972, is owned by Sunset Cove Village LLC out of Casco, and is assessed at $21,700.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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