SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

TAUNTON - A 43-year-old Taunton man has been arrested in connection with the Aug. 12 fire at Art's International Bakery, which authorities say was intentionally set.

Manual M. Arruda, of Taunton, faces charges of burning of a building, breaking and entering in the nighttime and larceny over $250. Investigators believe Arruda broke into the building, stole money and then lit the fire to cover his crime, state and local fire and police officials announced Wednesday.

The fire at 392 Washington St. in Taunton destroyed the building and put more than 15 people out of work.

"Arson is not a victimless crime. In this case, it affected the owners of the business and building, employees, the bakery's customers and everyone who lives in the neighborhood," State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said in a statement. The fire was jointly investigated by fire investigators from the Taunton Fire Department, detectives from the Taunton Police Department, state police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case will be prosecuted by the Bristol District Attorney's Office.

The Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System reported there were 344 arsons in structures in Massachusetts during 2007, which caused 28 fire service injuries, 21 civilian injuries, seven deaths and more than $14 million in property damage.