A Webster man was arrested on Thursday after being indicted on charges related to a 2024 fire that displaced 12 families in Southbridge .

Gerardo Cruz-Rivera, 34, was charged with two counts each of arson of a dwelling and malicious damage to a motor vehicle for the fire, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine’s office wrote in a statement. He was arraigned Friday in Worcester Superior Court and was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Oct. 1.

The early morning fire occurred on Nov. 13, 2024 at around 3:25 a.m. Investigators determined that the fire began at the rear of 5-7 Union St. at ground level and quickly spread to two other buildings at 7-9 Union St. and 11-13 Union St.

Firefighters and apparatus from over a dozen regional departments responded to the seven-alarm fire an

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