Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Doris Picard, who is charged with arson for allegedly setting a fire in her apartment at Sullivan Terrace North on Friday, enters Sperior Court Tuesday for her arraignment. She was ordered held on preventive detention.

NASHUA – A tearful Doris Ricard blurted, “I’m sorry, Ma,” upon entering a Nashua courtroom Tuesday for arraignment on the two felony charges she faces in connection with Saturday’s fire at Sullivan Terrace North.

Ricard’s mother, who sat in the back row in Judge Charles Temple’s courtroom for the proceeding, lives in the apartment next door to Picard’s, and was among those evacuated as smoke from the blaze Ricard allegedly set in her own apartment began to fill the fifth floor.

No injuries were reported, officials said, but the incident made for some anxious moments for residents of the eight-story Nashua Housing Authority residence, which, along with its twin building across Tyler Street, primarily houses elderly and disabled people.

Nashua firefighters were summoned to the building around 5:30 p.m. Saturday by an activated fire alarm, Nashua Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Glen MacDonald said.

Crews found a “heavy smoke condition” on the fifth floor, and traced the source of the fire to Ricard’s apartment.

Firefighters were still checking the apartment for hot spots and setting up large fans to evacuate smoke when Ricard, according to police reports, walked up to a police officer and turned herself in.

“I did it, so arrest me,” Ricard allegedly told the officer, as she put her arms behind her back, police said. She claimed she allegedly “burned my apartment down on purpose,” stating that she allegedly poured a container of motor oil throughout the apartment, including the top of her stove, police said.

She then allegedly “proceeded to light a pillow on fire, place it in the motor oil, then turned all her stovetop burners on high,” according to the reports.

She told police her apartment was beginning to fill with smoke when she left.

Once outside, Ricard allegedly told another resident to get Ricard’s mother out and “save the children … .”

Ricard allegedly told police she “did not want any children in the building to get hurt.”

Police charged Ricard with one count each of arson, a Class A felony, and reckless conduct, a Class B felony.

At Tuesday’s arraignment, Assistant County Attorney Kent Smith recommended Ricard be housed on preventive detention, but also acknowledged the state’s concern for her mental health.

Attorney Eleftheria Keans, who represented Ricard at the hearing, asked for personal recognizance bail, or at least the opportunity to readdress bail after she is evaluated by mental health professionals.

Keans, noting Ricard has no criminal record, said it appears her alleged actions were the result of a “combination of alcohol use and mental health issues.”

Temple, the judge, cited the “circumstances of these felony charges” in ordering Ricard be held on preventive detention.

He also said the court would consider personal recognizance bail for Ricard if she engages meaningfully in mental health treatment.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, or at dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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