Morristown Arsonist Planned More Fires; Owner Of Building Vows To Rebuild

New information released on the fire this week in Morristown reveals the man who set the Parks-Belk building on fire in downtown Morristown was planning on doing a lot more damage to that area. Jeffrey Scott Cicirelli told investigators that he had plans to burn more buildings in downtown Morristown. Police found five full gas cans around the downtown area. Cicirelli had planned to use that gas to start fires at several other buildings.

Cicirelli admitted that he entered the Parks-Belk building Wednesday night and used gasoline to start fire at several areas within the building. He told investigators that when he saw how big the fire became as that building burned, he decided against burning any others. Cicirelli is charged with arson, reckless endangerment, burglary and vandalism. The building which was being renovated by the city of Morristown is a total loss.

As the walls of the building are unstable, Main Street in downtown Morristown is still closed, although businesses in that area are open. The owner of the Parks-Belk building says that they plan to rebuild the historic structure, and will try to utilize what remains of the original building.