Fall River Police arrest city man in Tuesday fire

Fall River Police have arrested a city man in response to a fire in the city.

According to Detective John Robinson, on January 29th at approximately 10:30 p.m., Officers of the Fall River Police Departments Uniform Division responded to a driveway on Reuben Street in response to a dumpster fire.

While in route, Officers were told a female was seen running from the dumpster saying there was a baby in the dumpster. After this was determined to be false, Officers tracked down the phone from which the call was placed and learned a passing female used the phone to report the fire. The female has not been located as of yet.

The Fall River Fire Department arrived on scene and once the fire was extinguished, members of the Fire Department climbed inside to perform a more thorough search.

Officers Kevin M. Bshara and James Elumba were able to locate a video surveillance camera and got access to the recording. On review of the camera footage, Officers observed that a male approached the dumpster several times including placing his hand into the dumpster and holding it there for a few seconds on multiple occasions. The male then closes the dumpster door and walks away. As he is walking away, smoke begins to flow from the dumpster. No one else is seen near the dumpster.

Officers began searching the video and observed the male exit the rear door of 28 Reuben Street. Officers went to 28 Reuben Street and learned that the male lived in apartment #5.

Officers knocked on the door and a male opened the door fitting the description and wearing the same clothing from the surveillance video. The male, now identified as Peter Kmiec, 38, stated he was having trouble with his cigarette lighter and tried to get it to work while in the dumpster.

Kmiec was taken into custody on a charge of Chap. 266 sec 5a Crimes Against Property – Attempt to Burn