Norway arsonist charged

NORWAY - A Norway man wanted to show a woman he was upset with her - so he set fire to his own home.

Norway police say Troy Murch,  23, lived on Ralph Richardson Road, in Norway, with his girlfriend and their child. However, after they had an argument, Saturday, November 6, she took their child with her to her parents' home in another part of town. She said he had been extremely angry and had been throwing furniture around and breaking things. He followed her to her parents' place and threatened to burn his house down. He then left the place in which she was staying, saying he was going to get gasoline and burn down his house.

The on-duty Norway officer, Ron Cole, was tied up in another matter when the woman called 911 to report Murch's threat. Paris Police Officer Tim Gamache was sent to the house on Ralph Richardson Road and found a man driving away. On leaving the cruiser to talk to the stranger, Gamache heard glass popping and saw smoke coming from the house. The man, who identified himself as Troy Murch, immediately asked Gamache to take him to jail. The Paris officer had other priorities at that moment, however. He advised Murch to sit tight on the lawn, as he called the fire department. Norway, Paris and Oxford firefighters responded quickly, and a significant portion of the building was saved.

Both Gamache and Cole, who eventually took charge of the prisoner, noted that Murch did not attempt to resist arrest.

Fire Chief Dennis Yates said one firefighter was taken to Stephens Memorial Hospital, in Norway, for treatment of heat exhaustion. He was released a short while later. The fire damaged the house, Yates said, but not beyond the range of repair.

Murch was charged with arson and could also be charged with aggravated domestic criminal mischief. He is scheduled to make an initial court appearance in Oxford County Superior Court on December 17, unless the Oxford County Grand Jury directs otherwise in an indictment. Within hours of his arrest, Murch's grandmother posted her Harrison home, worth more than the $100,000 necessary surety, to secure his release. As terms of bail, Murch may not use alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs, firearms or have flammable liquids in portable containers. He may not have any contact with his girlfriend.

Photo:

Troy Murch, accused of Arson