Press Release  Webster Man Indicted for Southbridge Arson that Displaced 12 Families

SOUTHBRIDGE — Southbridge Police arrested a Webster man Thursday following his indictment by a Worcester County grand jury for allegedly setting a fire that ripped through two multi-family homes, said Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr., Southbridge Fire Chief Paul Normandin, and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

GERARDO CRUZ-RIVERA, 34, is charged with two counts each of arson of a dwelling and malicious damage to a motor vehicle for the November 13, 2024, fire that started at 7-9 Union Street in Southbridge and quickly spread to the neighboring building at 11-13 Union Street. He was arraigned yesterday in Worcester Superior Court. At the request of District Attorney Early’s office, Cruz-Rivera was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on October 1.

The origin and cause of the fire were investigated by the Southbridge Fire Department, Southbridge Police Department, and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office. Collectively, they determined that the fire began at the rear of 7-9 Union Street at ground level and spread from that area. They further determined that the fire had been intentionally set and continued to gather evidence.

As that investigation continued, Worcester County prosecutors presented evidence to a grand jury, which returned indictments charging Cruz-Rivera on Monday. Southbridge Police detectives located and apprehended him Thursday night.

A dozen families were displaced by the early morning fire, which was reported at about 3:25 am. Firefighters and apparatus from more than a dozen regional departments responded to the seven-alarm fire and one Southbridge firefighter was transported for an injury he suffered during the seven-alarm response. Working smoke alarms roused the buildings’ occupants, who all escaped safely but lost their homes and possessions.

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