Smoke is still billowing from piles of rubble nearly 12 days after a fire ripped through the former J.D. Bassett plant.
Now police believe they have the man who started one of the largest fires the area has ever seen.
Investigators tell NEWS7 while they were interviewing witnesses and possible suspects, one man confesses.
Wednesday police arrested Silas Crane after he admitted to authorities that he started the fire.
According to an arrest warrant, Silas broke into the building just after 1:00 A.M. on November 21 to steal copper wiring.
He told police when he started to cut wires from the junction box he cut into a live wire causing sparks that burned his face and hands.
Crane is charged with breaking and entering and arson of an unoccupied building. But it's not the first time he's attempted to steal copper wiring. Crane also faces charges of breaking and entering and grand larceny from a previous crime.
According to the commonwealth attorney's office, crane broke into the former Fieldale Elementary School in September stealing $69,000 worth of copper wiring and brass.
Crane was out on bond when he allegedly set fire to the former J.D. Bassett plant.
He's due in court in early January.
