RUTLAND, Vt. — A firefighter has pleaded not guilty to setting fire to his home.
The Associated Press reported that the fire happened March 31 at the home of 33-year-old volunteer firefighter Ethan McArdle. It was the second fire at the home in 24 hours and was considered unrelated to a small fire in the basement, according to the report.
Firefighter McArdle pleaded not guilty in criminal court Monday. He remains free but is not allowed to have any accelerates or materials capable of starting fires, according to the report.
Police said firefighter McArdle initially denied any knowledge of how the fire started, but later said it did it after a police dog detected the presence of accelerates in his house, according to the report.
According to police, McArdle said he had no financial motive; he just didn’t like the house.