A man charged in August 2013 with second-degree arson was recently sentenced to seven years in prison.
David A. Garceau, 39, Jefferson City, was listed as being homeless in the court documents.
Police reports show that officers patrolling in the downtown area saw a large amount of smoke at a vacant home at 111 Adams St. and began searching for its origin.
The fire started at the back of the building and quickly spread to the front.
Officers located numerous subjects who were squatting in the vacant house and were able to escape the fire.
After interviewing many of the victims, detectives said the fire may have been set by one of the squatters.
A description of a suspect was given to patrol officers, who immediately found Garceau walking in the area and later determined he had started the fire.