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Man with extensive criminal history in Massachusetts accused of setting fire to Rhode Island condo complex

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A local man has been charged concerning a fire that affected multiple residences.

According to police, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, the Newport Police Department, in collaboration with the Newport Fire Department, responded to a report of an active fire at Misty Harbor Condominiums, located at 26 West Narragansett Avenue. The fire was successfully contained with the assistance of several mutual aid fire departments including Naval Station Newport Fire Department, Middletown Fire Department, Portsmouth Fire Department, North Kingstown Fire Department, Tiverton Fire Department, Jamestown Fire Department and the Providence Canteen. Crews, in what was described as a heroic effort, contained the fire to 3 of the 14 units with only an additional 4 units affected by smoke and water. Once the scene was secured, investigators from the Newport Fire Marshal’s office, the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal, and detectives from the Newport Police Department began an investigation. 

Following a thorough investigation, the State Fire Marshal ruled out electrical causes for the fire. However, a K-9 unit indicated a positive detection of an accelerant near the origin of the blaze. 

Investigators subsequently identified a suspect as Joseph Fragata, a resident of Viking Drive in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. It was discovered that Fragata has an extensive criminal history in Massachusetts. Detectives gathered evidence including video footage. An arrest warrant was issued for Fragata along with search warrants for his vehicle and cell phone. 

At approximately 6:00 p.m., detectives from the Newport Police Department, supported by Portsmouth Police, arrested Fragata at his residence in Portsmouth without incident. His vehicle and cell phone were seized as evidence. 

Once back at the Newport Police Station, Fragata was interviewed, booked and processed.

He was arraigned and held without bail on the charge of 1st Degree Arson in Newport County District Court on Friday. 

The Newport Police Department and Newport Fire Marshal’s Office encourages anyone with information related to this case to contact Detective Matthew Clarizio at 401-845-5775. 

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