A 46-year-old resident allegedly started the fire that forced evacuation of all 38 residents of a Northfield assisted-living facility on Feb. 5, state and police reports show.
State investigators concluded in a report Wednesday the man, who had been living at Valleyview of Northfield for 18 months, started the fire. Damage was estimated at $215,000.
The suspect uses a wheelchair and was being treated by a psychotherapist for depression and anxiety that occasionally results in "behavioral outbursts," the report said.
Authorities have charged William Jerald Kelly, 46, with arson. He is scheduled to appear in court April 3. The complaint said he told police he used a lighter to set fire to his clothes in a closet because he was "tired of people being bullied" at the facility.
WARREN WOLFE
