FAIRMONT — A Fairmont man is facing a felony charge in Martin County.

Brent Neil Shaikoski, 38, has been charged with negligent fires, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On April 3, a Sherburn/Welcome police officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Weaver Street in Welcome, on a report of a house fire.

Upon arrival, the officer observed smoke rolling out from the soffit vent in the roof of the house.

Shortly after the officer arrived, a neighbor said he was on the phone with the owner of the residence. The neighbor indicated the owner told him that a friend of his named Brent was at the house, and that he had been working on a motorcycle in the back bedroom. The owner thought this may have caused the fire.

While securing the scene, the officer was approached by a woman who said a relative of hers had observed an individual loading boxes into a vehicle prior to the fire.

The officer spoke to the relative, who corroborated the information. The relative said the individual also appeared to be carrying white pails of what he believed was water. He also said he thought he saw the individual move a gas can from the front of the house to the unattached garage. He said the individual left in a vehicle and the fire became visible within minutes.

Later, the officer spoke with the owner of the residence, who said he was sure his friend was working on a motorcycle and assumed that was the cause of the fire. The owner identified his friend as Shaikoski, and confirmed he drove a white Pontiac Grand Am.

Later that evening, Shaikoski returned to the residence, where he spoke with the State Deputy Fire Marshall. During their discussion, Shaikoski indicated the fire began while he was working on the motorcycle and it backfired. Shaikoski indicated he had his motorcycle hooked up to a car battery so he could start it.

Shaikoski indicated he put gasoline in the carburetor, hit the ignition and the motorcycle backfired. He said he took steps to put out the fire, but was unable to do so.

In a later interview, Shaikoski said they had spilled gasoline on the floor the day before and this may have added to the fire.

The residence, which had been purchased for $12,000, was severely damaged. Law enforcement estimated the value of the property damaged was in excess of $2,500.

The Fire Marshall determined the cause of the fire to be unsafe use of gasoline in the home.