Scituate man faces charges after alleged arson

A Scituate man is facing several charges after allegedly starting a fire at a home and falsely reporting the incident to police.

Police and fire crews responded to a residence on Dec. 30, 2023, for reports of a house fire with residents inside.

Officials said the bulkhead appeared to be burned and wet.

Police interviewed 51-year-old Stephen Peters who was on the scene and told police he was trying to put out the fire with a hose.

Peters said the person who started the fire was someone he had a falling out with recently.

Officers said samples from the scene came back positive for the presence of a gasoline accelerant.

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Police said they also received video footage from multiple people.

According to investigators, numerous attempts were made to ignite the gasoline, which resulted in a large fireball erupting on one side of the home.

Officials said the fireball illuminated Peters while the home burned.

Police said the footage showed him coming back later with a hose.

Peters was arrested on March 28, and confessed to the crime.

He was charged with first degree arson, obstructing a police officer in execution of duty, and filing a false police report.