EATON, N.H. --
Police have arrested an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter during their investigation of several fires in the towns of Madison, Eaton and Freedom.
Police said John Colcord, a former Madison volunteer firefighter, was arrested Thursday and accused of setting a fire in his hometown of Eaton.
"We have 12 other fires that we are investigating, and we expect Mr. Colcord to be charged for those fires, as well," said Trooper James Fogarty.
Fogarty said the charge is troubling because Colcord was a volunteer firefighter.
"We believe he left the volunteer fire department after the alleged incident," Fogarty said.
"It's disappointing to the fact that the person who was charged with protecting the public was out there doing this," said Fire Marshal Bill Degnan.
In June, several homes in the areas of Madison, Eaton and Freedom, along with a historic barn, were set on fire, police said.
Police said earlier this summer that the arsonist would wait for the buildings to be empty before striking.
Colcord is being held at the Carroll County jail.
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