Staff photo by Dean Shalhoup Shaine Farnsworth, charged with arson in connection with allegations he set two fires in Nashua Sunday, enters Superior Court Monday for a bail hearing. He was ordered held on preventive detention.

NASHUA – A local man who admitted to police he started a brush fire on Bridge Street Sunday night “to keep warm” was later arrested and charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to a Crown Street building.

Shaine Farnsworth, 30, of no fixed address, was ordered held on preventive detention Monday, following a bail hearing before Judge Jacalyn Colburn in Hillsborough County Superior Court-South.

Assistant County Attorney Brett Harpster told Colburn that Farnsworth was only issued a warning when police, who happened upon the small brush fire, asked him about the blaze.

But a short time later, police responded along with several Nashua Fire Rescue crews to 24 Crown St., after receiving a call for a building fire, Harpster said.

Firefighters were able to halt the flames before they did any significant damage to the building, which Harpster said houses a number of businesses.

Once again, he said, Farnsworth allegedly admitted to setting the fire. This time, he was taken into custody and charged with the felony count of arson.

Harpster, who said firefighters were called to other small fires, including one in a dumpster, Sunday night, indicated more charges could be forthcoming.

In recommending Farnsworth continue to be held on preventive detention, Harpster noted that he has 42 convictions, a mix of felonies and misdemeanors, on his criminal record.

Suspended sentences tied to two of his most recent offenses are still in effect, Harpster told Colburn, meaning that Farnsworth’s arrest Sunday violated the terms of those sentences.

Attorney Eleftheria Keans, Farnsworth’s public defender, told Colburn her client has been making significant strides in mental health court programs, and has been working on his GED.

But Colburn said the focus needs to be on “the allegations of Oct. 14 … these are very serious allegations,” she said.

Harpster agreed. “As much as we all want to see him do well, these allegations are very, very serious,” he said.

Farnsworth’s next court date was not set as of Monday.

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