NASHUA - A city man is under arrest, charged with reckless conduct in connection to a fire last month on Palm Street that left two dozen people temporarily homeless.

Richard Maggs, 52, of 58 Walnut St., is accused of igniting combustible material - a couch and trash - on Nov. 17 in an alley adjacent to 88 3/4 Palm St. Flames spread to the nine-unit apartment building owned by the Nashua Soup Kitchen.

When patrol officers arrived at the scene, they found the east side of the building engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in about an hour although a portion of the building was consumed by fire. No one was injured.

The fire was deemed suspicious at the time and ultimately, an investigation conducted by the Nashua Fire Marshal's Office and police led to the arrest of Maggs.

Lt. Michael Moushegian said that based on the evidence, police believe the reckless conduct charge is appropriate. He said, as with any case, the charge could change when the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office presents it to a grand jury.

What's next: Maggs is being held on $5,000 cash/surety bail pending arraignment Thursday in 9th Circuit Court, Nashua District Division.