Police Look for Suspect in Suspicious Fire

Fire Destroys City Water Department, Italian War Vets Club on Saturday

Medford Police are hard at work investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed an historic building that housed the city Water Department and the Italian American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8 early Saturday morning. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a suspect. Above, Medford fire officials work to put on the flames last weekend.  Courtesy photo.

– Allison Goldsberry

Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a suspect in connection with a suspicious fire that destroyed a city building over the weekend.

Ralph E. Smith, pictured at right, DOB 12/23/62, is wanted for two counts of receiving a stolen motor vehicle/trailer and for larceny over $250. Smith is believed to have stolen a city DPW truck/compressor and assorted tools. He is also a person of interest for arson.

The Medford Police urge caution if Smith is spotted. He is considered a flight risk that has been known to carry razor blades to injure police officers while he is being frisked.

Police say Smith might be driving a red 1981 Corvette with temporary Ohio plates.

The public is asked to call the police with any information, including clothing or property that can be used as evidence. Call police at 781-391-6767 during normal business hours and 781-395-1212 afterhours.

An early morning fire on Saturday destroyed a city building containing the Water Department and the Italian American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8.

Officials believe the fire was intentionally set and appears to have started on the first floor of the building, where the Water Department was located. Everything inside the building is gone and only the burnt exterior remains.

No one was injured in the blaze.