SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. —

A Webster man was arrested for allegedly setting a Southbridge fire that tore through two apartment buildings last year, displacing dozens.

Thirty-four-year-old Gerardo Cruz-Rivera was charged with two counts of arson of a dwelling and two counts of malicious damage to a motor vehicle.

He was arraigned on Friday in Dudley District Court, where he was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Oct. 1.

On Nov. 13, 2024, around 3:30 a.m., Cruz-Rivera intentionally set a fire in the rear of 5-7 Union St., according to State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

The fire quickly spread to the neighboring building.

A 7-alarm response was called by firefighters due to the size of the blaze.

One firefighter was transported to the hospital for an injury sustained during

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