Nashville Fire Department Investigators Arrest Downtown Arsonist

1/8/2021
Joseph Pleasant; Public Information Office

Joshua Baker admits to setting multiple fires prior to New Year’s Eve arrest

Nashville Fire Department Investigators charged Joshua Baker, 39, with Felony Arson for setting a fire at 215 6th Avenue North in downtown Nashville on December 31, 2020.

The NFD responded to a fire at 215 6th Avenue North, Nashville, TN. Fire crews found multiple fires on the second floor of the building. The area is used mostly for storage.

NFD crews extinguished the fire and the building sustained extensive internal damage.

EMS division personnel on scene advised NFD Fire Investigators they were treating a man who told them he caused the fire.

Fire investigators interviewed Baker on the scene. Baker told investigators he set the fire. Baker also said he had set fires in building before “maybe 10 times.”

During the New Year’s Eve investigation NFD Fire Investigators found multiple fire sites. They found places in the bathroom, near a rear wall, in a trash can and in a mini refrigerator Baker set fires.

NFD investigators arrested Baker and charged him with Felony Arson. He remains in custody at the Davidson County Detention Center on $75,000 bond.

The crime of arson is one of the costliest human-made disasters. Arson indirectly contributes to increased insurance premiums, higher medical costs, lost jobs, lost income, and the increased costs of fire services.

The NFD needs your help to combat this serious crime.

If you have information about an arson call the Nashville Fire Department Arson Hotline at 615-862-5640.

You can also call the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017.

The hotline is answered 24 hours a day. You can remain anonymous when providing information.

Cash awards up to $5,000 are paid for information leading to an arrest or conviction.