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Three accused of starting fire in Charlestown over drug debt

Print Posted by Andrew Ryan, Globe Metro Desk February 8, 2011 04:18 PM

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By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Nine families are being housed at Boston-area hotels today after three men allegedly set fire to a unit at the Bunker Hill housing development, forcing the Boston Housing Authority to close the nine-unit building for repairs.

The accused arsonists were allegedly upset over a drug debt. The residents of the targeted unit escaped through a first-floor window, police said.

Lydia Agro, a spokeswoman for the BHA, said nine families are at hotels while the BHA searches for new apartments for them. She said the families are being aided by the Red Cross and that the BHA expects to have new residences for them by the end of the week.

According to Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F.Conley's office and Boston police, three suspects are being held on high cash bail today after they were charged with setting fire early Monday morning to the unit inside the BHA building at 74 Medford St.

Boston firefighters extinguished the two-alarm fire. But firefighters from Ladder 9 also had to rescue second-floor residents trapped by heavy smoke and fire, authorities said.
No serious injuries were reported.

James Burrell, 32, of Charlestown; Dashaun Lanair James, 32, of Charlestown; and Daniel Grayson, 28, of Roxbury, all pleaded not guilty to arson of a dwelling and other charges in Charlestown Municipal Court on Monday.

Bail was set at $150,000 for Burrell, $85,000 for James, and $50,000 for Grayson.

According to police, Burrell allegedly argued with a man over a drug debt. Shortly after midnight, the three men were standing in the hallway of the Medford Street building when a flammable liquid was poured under a unit's door, police said.

Burrell allegedly bent down and ignited the liquid, police said. The three men then ran into a neighboring apartment building on Decatur Street. Inside his apartment in the Decatur Street building, police found Burrell in his bed, shirtless and shoeless, claiming he had been asleep for most of the evening.

Tipped by a "concerned community member,'' police quickly pulled over a Nissan spotted driving away from Decatur Street. Inside the vehicle, police said, were James and Grayson.

Agro said the BHA is moving to evict the entire household of any BHA resident involved in the incident, including the alleged target of the arsonists. According to records, Burrell and James are also BHA residents.