Saco man charged with arson after Biddeford fire

A Saco man has been arrested for arson after police and firefighters responded to an early morning fire on Sunday.

Biddeford police responded to multiple reports around 12:41 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20,  of a burglary in progress in a home on Proctor Road, according to a press release from Biddeford Police Department. When police arrived on scene they discovered the attached garage was fully engulfed in fire, according to the press release.

Police said all residents were able to make it out of the home safely. The Biddeford fire department with help from  Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Goodwins Mills, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel, and Scarborough fire departments responded to the fire, said Maine Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Shannon Moss in a press release. The State Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene to investigate the fire with Biddeford police detectives and evidence technician, according to the Biddeford Police Department.

According to police, Richard Olin, 42, of Saco, drove to the home and rammed his vehicle through the garage door to gain access inside. The home at Proctor Road was damaged, and the garage was destroyed in the fire, said Moss.

Olin was located nearby on Proctor Road and taken into custody without incident, according to police. The Maine State Fire Marshal charged Olin with one count of Arson, a Class A crime, which is punishable by up to 30 years incarceration and a $50,000 fine. He was transported to the York County Jail and is currently being held without bail, according to police.

Olin is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday, said Moss. Additional charges may be brought against Olin pending further investigation, she said.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.