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Market Basket employee accused of setting 2 fires at Gloucester store
All impacted food and packaging was discarded, authorities said.
Police arrested a Market Basket employee Thursday in connection with a fire at the grocery store’s Gloucester location last week, authorities say.
The Gloucester Fire Department responded to the Market Basket located at 101 Gloucester Crossing Road at 8:20 p.m. on Friday, according to a statement from police and fire officials.
At the scene, firefighters found two fires, one inside the stockroom and another inside the cardboard compactor, according to authorities.
After locating the second fire, firefighters called for additional personnel, the statement says, and both fires were fully extinguished by 9 p.m.
The Essex, Manchester, and Rockport fire departments provided mutual aid at the scene, and companies from Beverly, Danvers, and Ipswich provided station coverage.
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Matthew R. Johnson, 35, is charged with two counts each of burning personal property and attempting to burn a building, according to the statement. He is expected to appear in Gloucester District Court Thursday afternoon.
Market Basket, the New England supermarket chain, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
No injuries were reported, authorities said, and the store was able to open the next day after passing multiple Health Department and Building Department inspections following extensive ventilation and cleaning.
All impacted food and packaging was discarded, the statement says.
“Ensuring our residents have access to safe and quality food remains a top priority,” Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga said in the statement. “I have full confidence in our public safety officials, and I’m grateful that no one was hurt during the incident.”
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