MORE: Police say 2 people feared inside burning Middletown building are alive
The fire burned for days and is estimated to cost the city more than $130,000 in demolition costs and firefighter overtime.
Lamb remains incarcerated in lieu of a $20,000 bond.
During a preliminary hearing last month in municipal court, Middletown Detective Steve Winters said Lamb, who is homeless, told him he started the fire. When he walked away to get more wood, his bedding caught fire and he fled the scene in the early morning on New Year’s Day.
Winters said he found Lamb in an alley on Broad Street, and during an interview that day at the police station, he told police four other homeless people lived at the facility on Verity Parkway.
WATCH: Videos capture walls collapsing, intense flames and smoke at Middletown vacant building fire
Middletown Fire Chief Paul Lolli said firefighters cleared the scene about 8 p.m. Jan. 3, but fire crews continued to do drive-bys throughout the night to make sure that any hotspots did not ignite.
The 11-acre site of 61 parcels is located at 300 S. Verity Parkway and had an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 square feet of space.
City officials said there were many ways of getting into the building. Crews previously boarded up windows and doors and put up fencing to deter people from entering the building, said Susan Cohen, acting city manager.
Lamb told police he entered the building through a garage door.
MORE: Homeless man charged with Middletown arson, says fire necessary to keep warm
Staff Writer Rick McCrabb contributed to this report
About the Author
