Advertisement Man faces arson charges following Dover house fire Fire displaces family of five Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A mother and four children, including a baby, are safe after escaping a fire that nearly destroyed their home in Dover.Click to watch News 9's coverage.Authorities said they believe it started in the garage attached to the two-story structure at 28 Broadway and that it was intentionally set. A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with arson.Dover firefighters said the family had escaped from the building just before they arrive about 9 p.m. Tuesday. Neighbors described hearing screams before running to help."The flames were really high," said neighbor Jade Caines. "It was really scary."The family is being helped by the Red Cross.Neighbors said they were glad to know that an arrest had been made."It makes me feel a little better, a little safer," said neighbor Dan White.Shawn Hoyt, 19, who lives nearby, was arraigned Wednesday. Police said they saw him near the scene during the fire, and according to court paperwork, he said he had been in the garage, where the fire is believed to have started."The defendant indicated that he entered the garage area and flicked a cigarette onto the garage floor," said Strafford County Assistant Attorney Timothy Sullivan. "That caused the fire to start."Investigators said Hoyt said he left to get help but couldn't find any. In court, Hoyt said he lives with his mother, aunt and brother, who were at his arraignment."He's got many disabilities," said his mother, Lisa Hoyt. "He just wants to be accepted, but he's always getting picked on."She said she's glad everyone is OK.Caines said she recognized Shawn Hoyt when she saw a picture of him."This is so upsetting," she said. "I can't believe I was talking to him. I was standing here with my dog. I gave him a biscuit to give to my dog."Shawn Hoyt is being held on $100,000 bail.Police in Dover said they're investigating a string of arsons in the area over the past few weeks, but they aren't saying whether they might be connected.12967056