MI Man Facing Charges In Arson Of Historic Tennessee Building: Police

MORRISTOWN, TN — A metro Detroit man is facing charges after setting a historic Tennessee building on fire Tuesday, according to police.

Jeffery Scott Cicirelli, 33, of Livonia, was charged with arson, reckless endangerment, burglary and vandalism in connection to the fire.

Police said firefighters found the Morristown's Parks-Belk Building at 104 West Main Street at Cumberland Street on fire at roughly 9 p.m. It took firefighters more than 12 hours and put the blaze out, police said.

One firefighter was injured while they worked to extinguish the fire, police said.

Officials said the building was vacant and was set to undergo renovations after a New York real estate investor bought the building. The investor planned to turn the building into condos, officials said.

Investigators began looking at Cicirelli as a suspect after firefighters noticed him hanging around the scene and asking them questions. Investigators then learned he had been staying at a motel in the area for several days.

Before that, he was traveling through the city when his vehicle broke down, police said.

"I believe that we have avoided what could have been a much greater tragedy," Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney said. "The loss of this iconic building at the center of the city is certainly tragic, but I have no doubt that the growth and vitality we have seen downtown in recent years will continue. And I am certain that this corner will soon return as a cornerstone to downtown."