OLD ORCHARD BEACH – The town fire chief was charged with arson early Saturday, accused of setting a fire that burned 42 acres last month.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office, along with the Maine Forest Service, arrested fire Chief Ricky Plummer, 59, at about 2 a.m. He was charged with one count of arson in connection with the woods, grass and marsh fire three weeks ago, a blaze fought by more than 100 firefighters from southern Maine.

Maine Public Safety Spokesman Stephen McCausland said about a dozen investigators from the fire marshal’s office and the forest service arrived in Old Orchard Beach with search warrants Friday afternoon. The investigators seized evidence from the fire station and from the chief’s town-owned car. They also seized Plummer’s cell phone, McCausland said in a press release.

Plummer was then questioned, according to the release. Afterwards, investigators consulted with the York County District Attorney’s Office which authorized the arson charge against Plummer, who was arrested at his mother in law’s home in Scarborough. He was then taken to the Cumberland County Jail in Portland where he was being held on $10,000 bail.

A message seeking comment was left at a phone number listed for him. He has been the Old Orchard Beach fire chief since 2014, the Portland Press Herald reported.

Plummer told reporters during the fire that the blaze was so fierce it nearly forced firefighters to pull out of the area, the newspaper reported.

“Flames were 20 to 30 feet high, just a wall of fire and heat,” Plummer said. “It could have been a lot worse. It could have burned this condominium down.”

Town manager Larry Mead said Plummer has been relieved of his duties and placed on administrative leave. He said the command staff at the fire department would direct day-to-day operations there in Plummer’s absence.

Mead declined to comment on the charges, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.

Capt. John Gilboy with the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department called the arrest a “personnel” issue and said the department had no comment.

The National Volunteer Fire Council estimates there are about 100 firefighters a year arrested on arson charges.

In neighboring New Hampshire, a volunteer firefighter was arrested April 22 on charges he set two fires that burned hundreds of acres, forced the evacuation of 17 homes and caused $500,000 worth of damage to utility equipment.

Stoddard firefighter David Plante was charged with two counts of arson. His attorney said he suffered from mental health issues, and the Fire Chief Stephen McGerty called him a “troubled firefighter.”

Plummer’s first court appearance will likely be determined the first of the week. 

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.