PORTLAND — A Portland man is being held on $50,000 bail after his arrest on arson charges in connection with a fire in his apartment.

Police arrested Michael Irving, 45, on Monday about four hours after a fire at 9 Freeman St. was reported at 3 p.m.

When emergency workers arrived they found heavy smoke coming from the duplex and Irving standing in the doorway. He told officers they were not needed, police said in a statement.

No one was home in the other side of the building and nobody was injured.

The building sustained fire and heavy smoke damage, the city said.

Investigators said the fire was started in a number of locations inside the apartment and that a flammable liquid was used.