A man has been charged with arson after he allegedly set a fire that destroyed a downtown market and displaced at least 13 people.

James Emerson, 43, is accused of starting a fire Dec. 9, 2024, in an apartment on the fourth floor of 35 Main St. in downtown Bangor. The fire and water from sprinklers damaged apartments, displacing people and forcing the ongoing closure of the Salty Brick Market on the bottom floor.

Emerson is charged with one felony count each of arson, burglary and aggravated criminal mischief, as well as one misdemeanor count each of failure to control or report a dangerous fire and criminal mischief, in Penobscot County Superior Court.

He had his first court appearance Sept. 26 and was granted a $10,000 bond. However, Emerson is serving a sentence at Mountain Vie

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