Eaton — September 2, 2011 — A former Madison firefighter has been arrested in connection with a June arson fire in Eaton. John R. Colcord, 18, of Eaton and Madison, is accused of setting fire to a home on Glines Hill Road. Colcord is also a suspect in a dozen other fires in the area. He is a former Madison firefighter who left the department recently.
Tom Riley, investigator for the state fire marshal’s office, said additional charges against Colcord are possible.
“The community at large will be able to sleep comfortable,” Riley said Thursday night.
Colcord was arraigned in Conway District Court and taken to Carroll County Jail on Thursday.
The Glines Hill Road fire broke out on the morning of Monday, June 26. That same morning another suspicious fire destroyed a home on Watson Hill Road in Freedom. In June, Polly Vanasse, an owner of the Glines Hill home, said she believed her family was targeted because nobody was home at the time. The family had been using the house as a second home for about 30 years.
The investigative team includes State Fire Marshal J. William Degnan, Madison Police Chief James Mullen, Madison Fire Chief Richard Judkins, State Police Col. Robert L. Quinn, Division of Forest and Lands interim director Brad Simpkins and Freedom Police Chief Josh Shackford.
Anyone with additional information related to the fires can call investigator Thomas Riley at 223-4289.
Congratulations to all involved. A job well done gentlemen.
Gee, what a surprise. Yet another “volunteer” fireman arrested as an arsonist. Makes you wonder what some of our “part time” cops are up to around here!