The Kennebec Journal

MOUNT VERNON

February 27

Man said to ignite home

By Craig Crosby ccrosby@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

MOUNT VERNON — A local man remained behind bars Friday after allegedly trying to burn down his Poplar Point Road home by igniting a pool of heating oil in his basement.

Heywood Hinds, 46, is charged with arson and criminal threatening, said Sgt. Ken Grimes of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Hinds was being held at the Kennebec County jail Friday on $50,000 cash bail.

Grimes said Hinds intentionally set a fire in the basement of the Cape-style home Thursday evening in an attempt to burn it down.

“The homeowner ignited some ordinary combustibles,” Grimes said. “At the same time, he had also emptied his No. 2 fuel oil into the basement.”

Ironically, there was too much oil for the fire to take off, and much of the home was spared, Grimes said.

The incident unfolded after Maine State Police Trooper William Plourde responded to a report of domestic violence at the 60 Poplar Point Road home, Grimes said.

“Hinds refused to come out of the house and talk, at which time we allege he went into the basement and set fire to the house,” Grimes said.

Plourde could not be reached for comment Friday.

Grimes was unsure who was involved in the domestic dispute with Hinds. He and his wife are estranged, Grimes said. Hinds currently lives in the home alone.

Hinds came out of the house and surrendered to police shortly after starting the fire, Grimes said. He was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Mount Vernon Fire Chief Dana Dunn said state police reported the fire around 5 p.m., Thursday.

“We had smoke in the building when we arrived at the scene,” Dunn said. “It turned into a little bit more than smoke.”

Approximately 35 firefighters from six surrounding communities joined Mount Vernon in fighting the blaze, Dunn said.

It took about 45 minutes to control the fire, but crews were on scene for more than three hours.

The fire caused relatively minor damage to the home, Grimes said.

“It’s certainly repairable,” he said.

Jon Andrews, oil and hazardous materials specialist for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, said Hinds released the oil by cutting the filter from the oil tank in the basement. Andrews estimated 50 gallons of oil spilled from the tank.

“We haven’t had an opportunity to speak with the resident of the home and we haven’t had a chance to look at delivery records,” Andrews said.

Most of the oil was recovered from the basement floor. Andrews said about 2 gallons exited through a drain.

“We’ve recovered all the oil we can recover,” Andrews said. “Now we have to discuss what happens with the homeowner’s insurance company.”

Grimes said he is thankful none of the responding firefighters was injured saving the home.

“It’s one thing for firefighters to help those in need,” Grimes said. “It’s quite something else for them to risk their life and safety for an intentional act.”

Craig Crosby — 623-3811, ext. 433
ccrosby@centralmaine.com