Lawrence Police Arrest Man, Charge With Arson

LAWRENCE, MA — Lawrence police arrested a Lawrence man and charged him with arson, Monday, following a fire at 223 Jackson Street.

According to police, the fire department responded to a fire alarm at the Jackson Street rooming house at 11:36 a.m. Other residents told investigators that they heard Raymond Rivera, 31, making noise in his room and then leaving the building shortly before the fire alarm sounded.

Investigators determined that the fire began in Rivera's room and was intentionally set, police said.

Rivera was arrested and held overnight at the Lawrence Police Department. He was due to be arraigned Tuesday on one charge of arson.

“This man put the other residents in harm’s way by knowingly leaving a building that is on fire and not alerting anyone," Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said. "Seconds count in a fire. Fortunately, the fire alarm system alerted other residents and they were able to escape more easily because it happened in the middle of the day.”

Lawrence police detectives, fire investigators and state police investigated the fire.

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