PITTSFIELD - A man accused of setting his own home and three others on fire and then trying to flee to Canada is being held on $25,000 bail in Vermont.
Phillip J. Jordan, 58, was arraigned on a fugitive of justice charge in a Vermont court Monday. Not guilty pleas were entered and a judge continued the case until he could be examined to determine his mental competency to participate in court hearings, said Frederick Lantz, spokesman for Berkshire District Attorney Paul J. Caccaviello.
A warrant for Jordan's arrest was issued over the weekend after he allegedly set fire to his own home on 112 Appleton Ave. at about 6:45 p.m. Saturday. Shortly after he also allegedly set fires at 47 Fort Hill Ave., 85 Ridge Ave. and 42-44 Brown St., Lantz said.
He is facing three counts of burning a dwelling house in connection with the fires on Appleton, Ridge and Fort Hill avenues, he said.
The fire on Appleton Avenue was started in the basement and spread to the second floor, causing serious damage. The other three fires caused minimal damage to the exteriors of the homes, fire department officials said.
It took firefighters more than two hours to extinguish the flames on Appleton Avenue. Multiple area fire departments responded to assist Pittsfield firefighters at the four fires, officials said.
He fled the area prompting police to put out a warning saying he was wanted and was believed to be armed and dangerous.
Jordan was apprehended Sunday by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents in Highgate Springs, Vermont, as he attempted to cross into Canada. He was charged with being a fugitive from justice, Pittsfield Police Lt. Jeffrey Bradford said.
It is unclear when he will be extradited to Massachusetts.