WATERVILLE — State and local fire officials are awaiting a decision from the Kennebec County District Attorney’s Office on whether charges will be filed in connection with a dumpster fire May 22 on the Colby College campus that state fire officials investigated as an arson.
Sgt. Ken Grimes, of the state fire marshal’s office, said Wednesday that the case was forwarded last week to the district attorney’s office, “and we’re waiting for their review and opinion.”
In an email Wednesday afternoon, Kennebec County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney confirmed her office has received the file and is reviewing the case.
Waterville Fire Chief David LaFountain and fire Capt. Shawn Esler, who was at the fires, met Friday with an official from the district attorney’s office and gave him their reports and photographs of the dumpster fire, LaFountain said Wednesday.
“My opinion, as chief of the department, is that when my people are attacked, regardless of where they are or who we’re dealing with, those people should be charged,” LaFountain said. “Whoever starts a fire, regardless of who they are — if somebody started a dumpster fire anywhere else in the city, I would expect that charges should be filed, depending on the evidence.”
The dumpster fire occurred a few hours after firefighters responded around 1 a.m. May 22, just hours before graduation, to a report of large bonfire near a senior dormitory off Washington Street. A large crowd of students had gathered at the bonfire and many were drinking and started throwing bottles, cans and a wine bottle, police Chief Joseph Massey said at the time. Massey said firefighters felt threatened enough that they held off fighting the blaze until police arrived.
A student, Jonathan Sdao, 24, of Niwot, Colorado, was arrested after he allegedly threw a bottle that struck two police officers. Sdao was charged with two counts of assault and refusing to submit to arrest. He is scheduled to appear July 19 in Waterville District Court.
Grimes said at the time that his office had identified at least two students responsible for the dumpster fire, which was reported at 4:30 a.m. May 22 on a paved area near the senior dormitory. The students are from out of state, according to Grimes.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
Twitter: @AmyCalder17
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