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Firefighter arrested, charged with arson

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EAST DIXFIELD – A firefighter is accused of starting a fire at the Countryfolk Music Theatre last week.

Jason Baldwin (Franklin County Detention Center photo)
Jason Baldwin (Franklin County Detention Center photo)

Jason Baldwin, 28, of East Dixfield, was arrested and charged with arson after interviews with an investigator with the state’s Fire Marshal’s Office.

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, area fire departments were called to the CountryFolk Music Theatre after the report that flames were showing at the structure located on Route 2. The theatre, owned by Larry Bisbee, offers free country music concerts on Sundays during the summer.

At the time, Wilton Sonny Dunham said the fire appeared “suspicious” and the state’s Fire Marshal’s Office was called in to investigate.

Sgt. Joel Davis, an investigator with the Fire Marshal’s Office, said that Baldwin, a neighbor of Bisbee’s, had reported the fire and was able “to mostly put the fire out” as fire crews arrived on scene.

According to Davis, a pile of paper and pieces of wood were found in an entry way to a cabin, one of the theatre’s complex of buildings. The fire did little damage to the structure, he added.

Statements allegedly made by Baldwin at the scene “didn’t make sense,” Davis said.

Davis set up another interview with Baldwin on Friday and after speaking with him again, he arrested Baldwin, charging him with arson.

Baldwin was a relatively new member of the East Dixfield Fire Department, having signed on in May, Fire Chief Randy Hall had told Davis.

The theatre’s owner, Bisbee was reportedly out of state at the time of the fire.

Sparks from a cabin’s wood stove destroyed several of the theatre’s structures in 2012. Volunteers rebuilt the the theatre’s buildings so the concerts could continue.

Countryfolk Music Theatre
Countryfolk Music Theatre  was restored for its 14th season last summer. (Larry Bisbee photo)
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15 Comments

  1. I’m just wondering, who runs the background check on firefighters in this state, anyone?

  2. Let’s not be so quick to jump on him I know him personally and this isn’t something he would do I think it’s more or less convenient for the cops to pull him since he is the neighbor. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?? Come on its not like he was arrested for breaking n entering or something.

  3. Sad to say, I am not surprised by this at all.

    And your right it wasn’t breaking and entering, it’s Arson he was arrested for.

  4. If he is guilty ,it is a Black eye to all the hard work people put into being firefighters

  5. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just that the office who arrested the firefighter must’ve thought long and hard before doing so. After all, aren’t we all supposed to respect and trust firefighters, whether on the payroll or the volunteers. I don’t want to have worry about their intentions or sanity, especially during a blaze!

  6. Heidi,

    Most municipalities will conduct background checks before hiring someone for as a town employee (be it volunteer or paid)–this is the case with the department I am a member of.

    Unfortunately this individual (if indeed guilty) has not helped the fire service. The region is very fortunate for the members of the departments as they dedicate countless hours to training, miss dinner to respond to the call that comes in, stand in freezing temperatures to direct traffic at accidents to keep the public safe and above all help others in their time of need. This is an isolated incident and shouldn’t become anyone’s view of a firefighter. Ask to attend a meeting or speak with someone that is a member of a department…most of the time the door is always open for new members.

  7. You are so right “coworker” it’s not breaking and entering.

    It is arson which if it had got going on those wooden structures would have put not only all the fire fighters there in harms way but also other properties nearby if it had spread to the woods. Arson is not something to take lightly. It puts many is peril and if he is convicted, puts a bad light on the hundreds of fire fighters in our community who are out there in the worse conditions saving our butts and our property. Thanks to all of them who sacrifice so much for the rest of us.

  8. Really glad things turned out positively for Larry and all the volunteers who have put blood, sweat, and tears into the community of music that he has worked tirelessly to build over so many years. I had a chat with Larry today and he is so thankful that he did not suffer loss out of this. He is as always ever optimistic but saddened by this.

    We have a young man in our larger community that, if convicted, clearly needs help. He has, if convicted, made a gross error in judgement that will follow him for a long long time. I feel very badly for his young wife and hope folks will be kind to her and not judge her guilty as well. This is a story that may not have a happy ending. Now it is in the hands of the courts. Lets hope all turns out well for those affected.

    Arson is not acceptable under any circumstances. Ever.

  9. “come on its not like he was arrested for breaking n entering or something.”

    it’s not?

    whether guilty or innocent, he has been charged with arson, which is a class a felony that–if convicted–will follow him all his life. breaking and entering is a lesser felony, sometimes if no other crime is committed in conjunction it can be a misdemeanor, and it carries a far lesser cultural weight that would not necessarily bar a person from future employment or receipt of services. if that’s your reasoning, it’s not like he was arrested for breaking and entering, it’s worse.

    but–if a person actually gains entry to a building in which they set a fire, then they are breaking and entering as well as committing arson. breaking and entering with the intent of committing a crime is a felony, and the crime of arson is another felony. so if that was the case, then yes, it is exactly like he was arrested for breaking and entering, as well as arson.

  10. I agree with Phill. We should not be quick to JUDGE. Let the COURTS decide. This person truly needs HELP. PRAYERS to the family for what they must endure.

  11. Co-worker #2
    I am amazed that he was arrested for this. He is one of the nicest people I have met where I work.. I would like to review the information myself (and I know there would be reason to suspect him) but in my mmind hes innocent

  12. I hope everyone remebers innocent until proven guilty. I wouild find it hard to believe we could find anyone who has not been accused of something they did not do. I know this person also and do not believe he did this. I feel bad that his reputaion is being dragged through the mud and nothing has even been proven yet. What if it was you or your family people were bashing in the paper? Would you want the community ostricizing them because of what other think. Let’s get the facts and let him have his day in court before we persecute him and his family.

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