Revenge called motive in fire

BIDDEFORD – A Portsmouth, N.H., man accused of setting fire to a home while people were inside was motivated by revenge, according to police.

Dylan L. Dewitt, 20, was ordered held without bail Tuesday in Biddeford District Court. Initially charged with seven counts of attempted murder when arrested by police, he was charged only with arson, a felony, when he appeared in court.

Dewitt is accused of starting the fire at Robert Dubois’ house on Main Street in Waterboro on Saturday. According to a police affidavit, Dewitt was staying at the house and became angry when told to leave. Witnesses said Dewitt swore that he would return to burn the place down.

Robert Dubois, his son and girlfriend were in the house with Dubois’ daughter, her husband and their three children when the fire broke out around 10 p.m. No one was hurt.

Dubois’ son, Ronnie, said Dewitt had been causing trouble at the home, and Dubois could no longer tolerate it, York County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hayes said in the affidavit.