Dorchester man charged with arson

Milford police have arrested a Dorchester man on suspicion of a brush fire that destroyed city-owned land Saturday, officials said. fire brigades continued to fight the flames throughout Massachusetts in the face of ongoing drought.

Devonte Johnson, 28, he faces charges of burning land, trees, wood or agricultural products; setting fire to someone else’s land; lighting a fire in an open space; disorderly conduct; and disturbing the peace, Milford police said in a statement. It was unclear Saturday whether Johnson had hired a lawyer to represent him.

The statement says that at 8:48 a.m., authorities in Milford received 911 calls reporting a fire in a wooded area at 296 West St. and of a man, later identified as Johnson, allegedly fleeing the scene.

Responding officers quickly located Johnson, who allegedly led them on a short foot chase before he was taken into custody, police said.

Johnson is being held in the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction on $1,500 bail awaiting arraignment. The police did not disclose details of the planned arrests.