Lawrence Man Arrested, Charged With Attempted Arson

LAWRENCE, MA — A Lawrence man was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted arson in relation to a recent fire, officials said Wednesday.

Lawrence firefighters responded Saturday morning to a suspected arson fire at 358-360 Andover Street in Lawrence.

“Fortunately this fire was detected early and firefighters were able to keep it small," Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said. "But it occurred in an occupied apartment building at a time when many people were asleep. This could so easily have been a tragedy.”

Investigators put out three security camera videos, Tuesday, and asked for public assistance identifying a person in them.

They arrested Carlos Martinez, 43, of Lawrence, Tuesday, and charged him with one count of attempting to burn a building, malicious destruction of property, breaking and entering in the nighttime to commit a felony and larceny under $250.

Martinez was held overnight at the Lawrence Police Department.

Moriarty thanked members of the community "who came forward confidentially to assist the investigation."

“Helping us identify Mr. Martinez from videos was key to a quick arrest of this man who put many people in harm’s way," Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque said.

The Lawrence Police and Fire Departments investigated the case along with state police officers with the state fire marshal's office.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.