Man accused of setting fire in occupied building in Baton Rouge arrested, causing $2M in damage

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Baton Rouge Fire Department investigators have arrested a man linked to a commercial building fire. The blaze caused about $2 million in damages.

A fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. on May 20 at a storage facility on South Harrell’s Ferry Road. Firefighters arrived to find flames and heavy smoke coming from Building 6. BRFD said they called investigators to the scene due to suspicious circumstances.

According to BRFD, officials found that the fire was set on purpose in a building with people inside, putting lives at risk. Two eyewitnesses inside the building before the fire saw James Peck, 48, on the property.

The witnesses said Peck was reportedly shouting slurs and banging on their storage unit door. Moments later, they noticed smoke seeping under the door and found it had been wedged shut from the outside with wooden blocks, BRFD said.

Peck was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and charged with two counts of aggravated arson.

Anyone with additional information about the incident can call the Baton Rouge Fire Department at 225-389-2050.

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