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Dorchester man charged with setting fire

Sakege November 3, 2024

A Dorchester man was arrested by Milford police and charged with setting a brush fire that damaged city-owned land on Saturday, authorities said, as Firefighters continue to fight the flames across Massachusetts in the midst of an ongoing drought.

Devonte Johnson, 28 years old, faces charges for burning soil, trees, wood or agricultural products; setting fire to someone else’s land; set fire outdoors; disorderly conduct; and disturbing the peace, Milford police said in a statement. It was unclear Saturday whether Johnson had hired a lawyer to represent him.

At 8:48 a.m., Milford authorities received 911 calls reporting a fire in a wooded area at 296 West St. and a man, later identified as Johnson, reportedly fleeing the scene, according to the release.

Responding officers quickly located Johnson, who allegedly led them on a brief foot chase before being taken into custody, police said.

Johnson has been held on $1,500 bail at the Worcester County Jail and Correctional Facility pending arraignment. Police did not release details of the scheduled arraignment.