Man Held on Bail After Allegedly Setting Massachusetts House on Fire

Swampscott man is due back in court to face a dangerousness hearing

A Swampscott, Massachusetts, man was ordered held without bail on Monday after police said he set fire to his house over the weekend.

Timothy Bronsan, 56, appeared in Lynn District Court to face arson charges and where the judge said he may be a threat to the community.

Investigators said there's more than half million dollars in damage to Bronsan's Linden Avenue home following Saturday's fire. Authorities said the blaze was intentional.

"When asked if he had any connection to the fire he stated, 'I did it,'" the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor also said Brosnan admitted to pouring gasoline inside the home, opening a gas valve, then lighting it up causing the 3-alarm fire. According to the prosecutor, he was allegedly waiting outside drunk and said, "Look at it go. Isn't that the most beautiful thing ever?"

Bronsan's attorney, Gary Zerola, disputes the arson charge and said his client is a self-employed contractor and well-liked by his friends.

"He denies making any of those statements i don't think he was that cavalier," said Zerola. "His whole life has been about building beautiful homes. Not destroying them."

Zerola said his client was living alone and had no reason to burn down his own house. He said the only challenge in his life was an on-going divorce from his estranged wife.

"There's never been any allegations of abuse, threats or violence," said Zerola.

Neighbors said they can't understand why it happened.

"I think it's just very unfortunate, it just brings the whole neighborhood down," said one neighbor.

Brosnan's is due back in court on Wednesday for a dangerousness hearing.

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