EVERETT, MA — A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an early morning fire that displaced dozens of residents from an apartment complex earlier this month.
Lawrence A. Stockton was apprehended in Leeds, Alabama, on the evening of Oct. 10 following a multi-agency investigation into the Oct. 5 fire at The Batch Yard apartment complex.
The Everett Fire Department and Everett Police Department responded to reports of a working fire at 25 Charlton Street at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Oct. 5.
The building, which contains more than 200 units, was occupied by dozens of residents and their pets at the time of the fire.
Most were safely evacuated, though many remain displaced.
The fire caused extensive damage estimated to exceed $500,000, including significant water, fire and smoke damage.
Everett Fire officials determined the fire appeared suspicious in nature following containment.
Investigators from the Everett Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police and the Everett Police Criminal Investigations Unit launched a joint investigation.
Investigators developed critical leads identifying Stockton as a person of interest over the following days.
Working with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, investigators secured multiple court-authorized search warrants for a residence at 25 Charlton Street and two vehicles, as well as an arrest warrant for arson.
Search warrants were executed at two locations on Oct. 9.
Stockton waived extradition and was returned to Massachusetts on Oct. 17 by Everett Police Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit.
The investigation remains ongoing.
