ALFRED — A Maine man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for setting his restaurant on fire two years ago.

A judge sentenced 59-year-old Karl Maine to a 16-year sentence, half of which is suspended. Police say he started a fire at Jake’s Diner in Limington in February 2014.

Investigators say Maine started the fire to get out of about $7,000 in debt. He was not the owner of the building, which was valued at $142,000.

Maine was convicted of arson earlier this year following trial.

Maine’s attorney, Scott Houde of Biddeford, declined to comment.

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