Charges for Hampden Fire, Alleged Assault Dismissed

Charges against a man accused of starting a Hampden fire and assaulting a woman have been dismissed.

Mark Roussel was charged with arson for the fire that destroyed a Main Road South home last week. In addition, he had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the home before the fire. Officials said that Roussel was a frequent visitor to the house.

The Penobscot County District Attorney's Office released the information this morning that the case has been dismissed and Roussel released from jail. This case remains under investigation. According to WABI-TV, court documents say a neighbor's surveillance video shows a man tossing a flaming object toward the house.