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State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, Bristol District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro and New Bedford Fire Chief Michael W. Gomes said Jose DeBritto, 30, of New Bedford, was arrested last night and charged with setting two fires that occurred Wednesday night and Thursday morning. He is charged with setting fire to a 2-family home at 149 Myrtle Street on October 11, 2017 and to a 2-story home at 245 State Street on October 12, 2017.
The investigation into these two fires and additional fires in the neighborhood is being jointly conducted by the New Bedford Fire and Police Departments and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The investigation is ongoing.
Additional questions should be directed to Bristol District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn’s Office who will be prosecuting the case.
State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said, “I want to commend the team for quickly determining the causes of these fires and making this arrest. Arson understandably creates anxiety in a neighborhood and an arrest is the quickest way to resolve that.”
Mayor Jon Mitchell said, “I’m proud of the hard work of New Bedford police, who together with the state fire marshal’s office completed a thorough investigation and apprehended an individual that put families in danger.”
New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro “I am continually impressed by the quality of investigators and high level collaboration with our law enforcement and fire investigating partners. I am grateful for their dedication in this case bringing closure and comfort to the residents in the Northend District. I appreciate the community involvement and the investigators relentless pursuit of the culprit raising havoc in our community.”
New Bedford Fire Chief Michael Gomes said, “These fires were in occupied buildings which is very troubling and could easily have ended in tragedy.”
