UNITY, Maine — A man who allegedly set his girlfriend’s mobile home on fire on Landry Lane in late December was arrested Monday and charged with arson.
Addison Duong, 20, who used to live in the trailer with the woman, told police he had been upset over the couple’s relationship problems and intentionally set the fire, according to a report from Chief Deputy Jason Trundy of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.
Duong allegedly lit a candle and set it under drapes to ignite them, Trundy said Tuesday. The mobile home was completely destroyed in the ensuing blaze. The woman wasn’t home, and nobody was injured trying to put it out.
Lt. Blaine Parsons of the Unity Volunteer Fire Department said the call came in a little after 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28. Firefighting crews from Unity, Albion, Freedom and Burnham responded, with Thorndike firefighters on standby. The owner of the rental mobile home, who lives about 400 yards away, is the person who called in the fire, Parsons said.
“It was already collapsed when we got there,” the lieutenant said. “It was a total loss. All we had was a metal roof and a trailer frame.”
About 25 firefighters worked at the scene until after 4 a.m., he said.
Before the fire, Deputy Jordan Tozier had responded to several civil complaints involving Duong and his girlfriend, so he was familiar with the couple. When he had a chance to talk about the fire to Duong, who now lives in Waterville, the young man admitted his involvement, Trundy said.
He was arrested and charged with arson, which Trundy said always is a Class A felony offense. Duong was taken to the Waldo County Correctional Center where he remains unable to meet bail set at $5,000 cash or $25,000 surety. The police investigation was conducted in conjunction with the Maine fire marshal’s office, Trundy said.
If convicted, Duong could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and a fine of as much as $50,000.