Big Lots Employee Charged With Arson for Couch Fire in Store

An employee of the Big Lots store in Auburn is charged with arson, after allegedly setting a couch on fire inside the store.

It was just before 7:00 Saturday evening when 22-year-old Ryan Graffam allegedly set fire to a couch in the storage room. The store was open and had customers, when the fire was started, and extinguished, allegedly by Graffam. The store was evacuated by employees, and the Auburn Fire Department responded. No one was hurt in the incident but the couch was destroyed, and two others stores nearby were damaged.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the State Fire Marshal's Office has charged Graffam with arson. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.