Swampscott Man Charged With Torching Home to Spite Ex-Wife: ICYMI

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A Swampscott man set his home on fire Saturday instead of sharing it with his ex-wife as ordered in their divorce proceedings, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Timothy Brosnan, 57, laughed as he watched his Linden Avenue home go up in flames, according to WHDH-7News. He was arrested at the scene after admitting to torching his home; police said he exhibited signs of drinking alcohol.

A firefighter was hospitalized for heat exhaustion.

Witnesses called in the fire at about 6 p.m.; three alarms were struck and firefighters from Swampscott and several surrounding communities responded to the scene.

Brosnan's lawyer said his client has been "going through a very difficult time" with his divorce and was upset that the terms granted his ex-wife partial ownership of the home.

His ex-wife applied for a restraining order, according to WHDH.

Top photo credit: WHDH-7News

This story was first published Aug. 1, 2016