NEWPORT — A Derby man has been charged with arson after allegedly confessing to setting fire to a car and garage in Newport, telling police he was motivated by relationship conflicts.
Derrick J. Davis, 40, pleaded not guilty to three felony charges of first-degree arson, third-degree arson, and unlawful mischief in Orleans County Superior Court. Judge Rory Thibault released him on an unsecured $10,000 appearance bond.
The fires occurred May 27 when a woman reported her Ford Fusion was burning. Newport City Fire Department extinguished the vehicle fire in about 30 minutes, but approximately half an hour later, Fire Chief Kevin Lacoss discovered a second fire smoldering in a garage at the same location.
According to Sergeant Charles Moulton’s affidavit, the car showed unusual damage patterns on the front driver’s side and engine compartment. Inside the garage, fire was smoldering high in a corner near rafters, with additional charred areas suggesting multiple heat sources had been applied to the walls.
Chief Lacoss became suspicious when he noticed the garage fire was 40 to 50 feet from the car fire. The next day, investigators including Lacoss, Sergeant Nicholas Rivers, and a state fire inspector concluded the fires were arson.
Surveillance video from a neighbor showed Davis walking near both the car and garage shortly before the fires. When questioned, Davis initially said he had walked partway to the fire site before going home.
After being confronted with video evidence, Davis admitted to igniting both the car and garage with a lighter, according to Moulton’s affidavit.
Police said Davis was motivated by anger over a former girlfriend’s new relationship with someone connected to the property.
