WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) – A former firefighter has been indicted on charges that he set fire to a home to cover up thefts of money from the homeowner, authorities say.
Kenneth Baxter was a 23-year veteran of the Worcester Fire Department at the time of the fire on Aug. 15. He left the department less than a month later.
Baxter was working on the home for the owner and had access to one of her accounts to buy supplies, investigators said Tuesday.
He allegedly drew money from the account, but did not do the repairs, Detective Capt. Edward McGinn Jr. said.
“We suspect he was using the money to buy drugs,” McGinn said.
A grand jury indicted Baxter on Tuesday on charges of arson of a dwelling, burning a building, burning with intent to defraud and larceny of property worth over $250 by false pretense on a victim over 60 years old.
No arraignment date was scheduled.
Investigators found accelerant in different areas of the home. Baxter was burned on his arms and legs in the fire, which caused damage estimated at $175,000.
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