Michigan man accused in arson of historic Tenn. building

A Michigan man accused of setting fire to a historic building in Tennessee has been charged, officials said.

Jeffery Scott Cicirelli, 33, of Livonia, was arraigned Wednesday in Morristown, Tenn., on charges of arson, reckless endangerment, burglary and vandalism, according to the city's police department. Officials said he remains in custody.

Cicirelli is accused of setting the city's Parks-Belk Building at 104 West Main Street at Cumberland Street on fire on Tuesday.

Firefighters were called at about 9 p.m. Tuesday to the building to put out the blaze, they said. They battled the fire for more than 12 hours and a firefighter suffered a minor injury while they worked to extinguish the fire, officials said.

They also said the building, which once belonged to a department store chain, was vacant and set to undergo renovations.

Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney praised the firefighters for their efforts.

"I believe that we have avoided what could have been a much greater tragedy," he said in a statement. "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."

Police said they began to develop Cicirelli as a suspect in the fire after officers at the scene noticed him asking firefighters in the area questions. After an investigation, detectives determined 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, according to investigators.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez