Several pet birds dead after Lewiston man set fire to home, officials say

In a Tuesday filing, the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office charged 38‑year‑old Treven Stoops with arson in connection with a fire that broke out at his home, where he lived with his girlfriend. The charge was brought before the state’s criminal court as part of an investigation into the blaze, which the marshal’s office determined to have been set deliberately.

The filing, made in a county court in Maine, lists Stoops as the defendant and alleges that he intentionally caused the fire in his residence. Under state law, arson is a felony offense that can carry significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines. The marshal’s office released no additional details about the circumstances of the fire or the damage it caused.

Law enforcement officials say they are continuing to investigate the incident and have requested the arrest of Stoops to allow the case to proceed. Stoops’ lawyer, who was not named in the filing, has indicated that his client will contest the charges. No injuries or fatalities were reported in connection with the blaze, according to the brief statement from the marshal’s office.

Maine officials have urged residents to be vigilant about fire safety, noting that accidental fires are a leading cause of property loss in the state. The State Fire Marshal’s Office will likely hold a preliminary hearing to determine whether a formal indictment will be filed, after which Stoops will face a formal arraignment and the opportunity to enter a plea.