FORT FAIRFIELD – A Fort Fairfield man has been charged with arson in connection with two fires set last weekend.

Christopher E. Nelson, 21, was arrested Friday and has been charged with two counts of arson and aggravated criminal mischief, according to police.

Nelson confessed to the crimes, according to Sgt. Ray Saucier of the Fort Fairfield Police Department. The suspect was en route at press time to Aroostook County Jail in Houlton where he was to be held for a probation violation.

A court date for his appearance has been set for July 17 at Presque Isle District Court.

If convicted as charged, Nelson could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison on the arson charges.

Nelson allegedly started two fires about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22. The fires involved propane cylinders at Bradley’s Car Wash and the Knights of Columbus building, both on Main Street, according to Saucier.

Nelson reportedly started an exterior fire next to a 250-pound tank directly beside the Knights of Columbus building. The fire put itself out and was discovered during the course of the investigation.

The second fire was caused when Nelson reportedly broke the supply line of a 1,000-pound tank directly beside Bradley’s Car Wash and ignited it.

A passer-by reported the fire to authorities.

No injuries were reported. The Fort Fairfield fire and police departments responded, as did the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Police checked video cameras from an automated teller machine at a nearby bank and saw Nelson on it several minutes before the fires were started.

The suspect reportedly was intoxicated and “was in a very destructive mood,” Saucier said.

The fires could have resulted in a very dangerous situation, according to Investigator Tim Lowell of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“Any time a propane cylinder is involved in a fire, a significant explosion called a BLEVE, or Boiling Liquid, Expanding Vapor Explosion, is a concern,” Lowell stated in a press release. “This type of explosion would have damaged all buildings and seriously hurt any people within a one-block radius and beyond.”

Saucier and Patrolman Ryan Doughty identified Nelson as a probable suspect, which led to his arrest.

Nelson was on probation for violation of a protection order. Bail has been set at $50,000 surety or $25,000 cash.