SALEM – Daniel Damien Lucey, 42, of Chelsea, told police that he considered his actions a “hate crime” after he set the front porch of the Salem Satanic Temple on fire Friday night.
Police responded to numerous 9-1-1 calls of a building on fire at 64 Bridge Street Friday night at approximately 10:05 p.m. When police arrived, they discovered the front porch on fire. Firefighters and police evacuated the building, which had sustained damage to the front porch area.
Police determined that Lucey sprayed flammable liquid on the porch and lit it on fire. They arrested him on the scene for arson of a dwelling, civil rights violations, and destruction of a place of worship.
When interviewed, police said that Lucey admitted to traveling to Salem with the sole intention of setting fire to the temple. No injuries were reported.
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected]
