Harrison Man Charged With Arson After Barn Fire

A local man has been charged with arson following a barn fire Friday night in Harrison.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office arrested Dathan Wakefield, 44, of Harrison on Monday and charged him with two counts of arson, Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety said Tuesday.

Wakefield’s arrest follows a fire that damaged a barn at 1073 Edes Falls Road.

The fire started on the outside of the barn, and firefighters were able to stop the blaze from seriously damaging the building, the release said.

The barn was attached to the home of Michael Giguere, who was home at the time.

A neighbor spotted the fire and called Giguere, who escaped the blaze without injury.

Investigators say Wakefield and Giguere know each other, and there is a long-running dispute between the two men.

Wakefield was taken to the Cumberland County Jail in Portland.