ALFRED — Jury selection for the trial of former Old Orchard Beach Fire Chief Ricky Plummer who was charged in 2016 with arson and failure to control or report a fire is currently scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 30 at York County Superior Court.

In November 2016, Plummer pleaded not guilty to the charges at York County Superior Court.

Plummer, who was 59 at the time, was charged with arson on May 7, 2016, in relation to a fire on April 15, 2016,  that spread over more than 40 acres of marsh grass and woods north of Walnut Street in Old Orchard Beach. Tbout 100 firefighters from several communities took about two hours to extinguish the fire. Residents from a nearby condominium complex were asked to evacuate their homes for a short period during the fire.

Surveillance footage from a hotel near the scene of the fire showed Plummer and his work vehicle near the area of the fire’s origin on April 15 shortly before the fire was reported.

During a May 7, 2016  interview, Plummer told Maine Forest Ranger Matthew Bennett that he had walked out into the woods and marsh area on April 15 to get some “peace” and smoke a cigarette he had taken from his wife. 

Plummer told the forest ranger he threw used matches on the ground, and then threw the cigarette in the area of chest-high cattails. Plummer said he walked out of the marsh and woods area, unaware that a fire had started.

He told Bennett he was not a frequent smoker, and no one would be able to verify this habit. No cigarette butts or smoking material were found at the origin of the fire, according to Bennett.

Plummer was put on administration leave after his arrest and resigned from the position May 15, 2016.

As part of his conditions of bail, Plummer is not allowed in Old Orchard Beach.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.