Police Arrest Three in Connection to Medford Street Fire

Three individuals have been arrested in connection the in an apartment building on Medford Street.

On Monday Boston police arrested James Burrell, 32, of Charlestown, Dashaun Lanair James, 32, of Charlestown and Daniel Grayson, 28, of Roxbury. All three were charged with arson, multiple dwelling. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. The fire was reportedly set after a dispute over a drug debt.

Residents from nine apartments were evacuated during the blaze. No one was injured, fire department officials said. While crews fought the fire, police were given a tip that individuals responsible for it had fled on foot.

Officers further received information that the suspects fled into an apartment on Decatur Street. The officers approached the residence and Burrell’s wife answered the door, police said.

Based on intelligence received, the officer asked to speak with James Burrell. His wife stated that he was sleeping. The officer was led to the bedroom where Burrel was laying in bed shirtless and shoeless. The officer asked the suspect what he had been doing and where he last came from. Burrell indicated that he had been sleeping for the last several hours.

During this time, officers had learned that an individual had a verbal altercation with Burrell over a drug debt. After the altercation, a witness noticed a liquid migrating into a first-floor apartment at 74 Medford St. from under the front door. A witness then observed three suspects outside the door through a peep hole and observed Burrell ignite the liquid. Heavy fire quickly filled the apartment, forcing the residents to escape out the window.

A concerned community member approached an officer who was conducting traffic at the corner of Chelsea Street and Medford Street and stated that a Nissan fleeing Decatur Street onto Chelsea Street was involved in the fire. Officers soon stopped the Nissan which contained two individuals believed to be connected to the incident. Those two individuals, Daniel Grayson and Dashaun Lanair James, were taken into custody.

Details in this story were reported from a Boston Police Department press release.