Man arrested after allegedly starting fire in Weymouth adult store

WEYMOUTH, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A man was arrested after allegedly starting a 3-alarm fire in Weymouth Saturday.

At about 6:40 a.m., police responded to 138 Bridge St. for a reported fire. The building was fully engulfed when officers arrived, officials said. The target was reportedly Amazing Video, an adult video store. The motive is still unknown, but police were able to make an arrest with the help of a witness, Dana Desmond. He saw the suspect in front of the video store around 6:30 a.m.

"I looked over and saw a man pacing in front of the store," Desmond said.

He said he thought it was odd, so he drove around the corner and returned a few minutes later.

"I looked over, saw the door was smashed, so when I turned I then saw flames coming out of the door," Desmond said.

Desmond saw the suspect quickly walking away, so he followed.

"He seemed out of it, didn't notice me over there, just kept bending over and washing his hands in puddles," Desmond said.

Desmond alerted police and an employee of Dunkin' Donuts saw the arrest.

"I saw him running that way," another witness said. "He just kind of fell to the ground, and dropped."

Officers arrested Jon F. Fernald, 44, of Rockland on charges of arson of a dwelling. He was transported to the hospital with severe burns. Desmond also noticed other injuries when he showed up to identify Fernald.

"When I got there, he was standing up in cuffs. The paramedics were taking care of cuts and lacerations," Desmond said.

The building consists of several businesses and an apartment in the back, according to officials. Two businesses next to the video store were also destroyed in the fire. The tenants made it out of the building safely and no other injuries were reported.

The fire remains under investigation.

Cox Media Group