The man accused of arson following a fire at The Squealing Pig in Mission Hill appeared in court
The man arrested in connection with a fire at a popular bar in Boston's Mission Hill neighborhood appeared in court Monday and was ordered to undergo a competency hearing before he can be arraigned on the charges against him.
The Squealing Pig went up in flames last week, and police arrested 23-year-old Prasiddha Baruwal this weekend, who they believe set the business on fire intentionally.
WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE
 |
Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. |
Video shows a person inside The Squealing Pig last Wednesday, which has smashed windows, while flames erupted.
Arson investigators believe that was Baruwal, of Everett, inside although how or why he's involved is unclear. Baruwal appeared in Roxbury District Court Monday after an initial 15A evaluation, the doctor recommended further evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
The judge agreed, and the next court date was set for July 19. Baruwal has yet to be arraigned, so few additional details on the case against him were presented in court Monday.
The business is a total loss, according to authorities.
While firefighters were able to get the flames knocked down in 15 minutes, they had already ravaged everything inside and created such an inferno that a nearby light pole and street sign melted.
And it's left customers who went there often really frustrated that someone would do this on purpose.
"It's pretty crazy. I've been there a couple times before. It's a really nice spot, yeah pretty insane to think that someone would want to intentionally do that," said Joe Abell, A Northeastern student.
Baruwal is charged with arson of a commercial building, breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony and will malicious destruction of property.
Former employees and witnesses were interviewed about this, but Baruwal is the only suspect in custody.
