EVERETT, Mass. —

The suspect in an arson case that caused an estimated $500,000 in damage earlier this month is back in Massachusetts after being arrested in Alabama.

Lawrence Stockton, 27, is accused in connection with the fire that was reported at 1:45 a.m. Oct. 5 on the sixth floor of 25 Charlton St. in Everett. The apartment complex, with more than 200 units, is known as The Batch Yard.

Gabriella and Josh Cortes said they grabbed a few belongings and rushed downstairs to evacuate. They said one of the building managers later told them that the fire was not an accident.

"They think that the arsonist came in with gasoline, soaked our hallway two doors down from us in front of Unit 613 and was just planning to set the whole hallway and that unit on fire," Gabriella Cortes said.

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