Massive Haverhill mill fire set using yarn and aerosol deodorant, police say
Haverhill Police arrested an 18-year-old woman Wednesday, and a 17-year-old on Thursday, accusing them of setting a huge fire at an abandoned mill with yarn and an aerosol can of deodorant spray.
The mill on Stevens Street went up in flames just before 3 a.m. Tuesday. Haverhill Fire Chief Chris Cesati said there was heavy fire on all four floors when they arrived.
No one was hurt. Firefighters from several towns came in to help and most of the fire was out by sunrise, but it continued to smolder for several hours.
"As a result of the ongoing investigation, authorities have arrested Isabella Sargent, 18-year-old Haverhill resident, in connection with the incident. She has been charged with arson of a structure and conspiracy to commit arson," Haverhill Police said in a statement.
A not guilty plea was entered for Sargent at her arraignment in Haverhill District Court Wednesday afternoon. The prosecutor said police found surveillance video that showed her going into the mill before the fire.
Sargent allegedly told police she and two other girls set some yarn on fire and used an aerosol deodorant spray to make the flames grow. According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, one of the girls, a minor, is also facing charges.
On Thursday, Haverhill Police arrested a 17-year-old in connection with the fire. They are being charged with arson and related offenses, according to police. No other information was released about the second suspect because they are a juvenile.
Sargent was ordered to have a mental health evaluation and stay away from the other two girls. She was released with a GPS tracking bracelet on a promise to return to court on May 26.
"We still urge anyone with information on the fire to share it with Haverhill PD," the Dept. of Fire Services said in a statement Thursday.
Four teenagers were charged with starting a fire at the same mill back in September 2015. The mill was built in 1884 and had been used to manufacture cotton and textiles, but it's been abandoned for years.
The fire chief said years of chemical use in the mill and the heavy timber causes it to burn "for a long time."
Haverhill, Massachusetts is 37 miles north of Boston.
