MORRISTOWN, TENN. (WWJ) - A man with Metro Detroit roots was charged with arson and other crimes after police say he started a fire at a historic building in Morristown, Tenn. this week -- and allegedly told officers that he planned to do it again.
Morristown Police Department said Jeffrey Scott Cicirelli, 33, of Livonia, Mich., was arrested on charges of arson, reckless endangerment, burglary, and vandalism one day after a large, destructive fire consumed the historic Parks-Belk building in downtown Morristown on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
First responders made it to the scene around 9 p.m. in the historic downtown district of Morristown, the city said in a prepared statement. Firefighters battled back the flames for nearly 12 hours in an effort to keep it from spreading to other buildings on Main Street.
One firefighter sustained a minor injury. Authorities said the building was vacant and no one was inside at the time of the fire as it was undergoing renovations.
Jeffery Scott Cicirelli, 33, of Livonia Michigan is charged with Arson, Reckless Endangerment, Burglary and Vandalism. He is currently in custody.Morristown PD
According to local news reports, residents in surrounding buildings were evacuated as the fire continued to consume the historic structure said to have been built in the early 1900s.
Morristown Fire Marshal Billy Hale told WVLT that firewalls built between the buildings "did do their jobs" at preventing the fire from spreading.
"It's pretty disappointing, obviously," the city's mayor, Gary Chesney, said about the incident via FOX 2. "It was a bad one, and it took a lot of fire equipment to put it out. They were able to contain it to the building."
According to police, Cicirelli began rising suspicions of patrol officers helping to secure the scene when they repeatedly saw him asking first responders questions about the fire.
"Investigators were able to determine that Cicirelli has been staying at a west end motel for the past several days after his vehicle broke down while traveling," police said in a statement about the case. "At this time, officers do not think he has any connection to the Morristown area."
According to Chesney -- as reported by FOX 2 -- Cicirelli went to a local auto shop to have his car repaired, but an argument broke out over the bill.
"Kind of told anybody who would listen that because he was treated this way, he planned to burn the town down," Chesney said .
Cicirelli was arrested in connection to the fire and while in custody, he allegedly told police he had plans to set more fires to other buildings in the area.
As stated in a warrant file in Hamblen County via WATE, the investigation led police to five full gas cans that were placed around the downtown district.
The warrant stated Cicirelli decided not to start the other fires after seeing the Parks-Belk building burn.
The building, valued at $250,000, was deemed a total loss, as stated in the warrant.
Police thanked citizens and those who provided information to investigators, which eventually led them to Cicirelli.
"Police personnel worked diligently to collect evidence and identify the suspect. The MPD would like to express appreciation to the citizens who came forward with information and all who assisted in this investigation."
Cicirelli was arraigned on Thursday, Jan. 4, and is expected to appear again in court for his preliminary hearing on January 24.
