AUBURN — A Lewiston man accused of setting fire to a car after an argument with the owner was indicted Tuesday on a charge of arson.

Elijah Yeaton, 23, of 66 Knox St. was charged with the felony by an Androscoggin County grand jury. The crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

He was also indicted on a charge of aggravated criminal mischief, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Investigators said Yeaton was angry on the night of June 2, when he set the car on fire by igniting a pile of clothes heaped in it.

The car was fully engulfed in flames when police and fire crews arrived at the corner of Knox and Maple streets in Lewiston.

Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, but the rear portion of the car was damaged extensively and was considered a total loss. It was owned by a man who lived nearby, according to investigators.

Yeaton was questioned by police then charged after witnesses also spoke with police.

There were no injuries reported.

Yeaton is being held at Androscoggin County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned in 8th District Court in Lewiston on Friday.

cwilliams@sunjournal.com