Everett man arrested for allegedly causing Squealing Pig fire

A 23-year-old man from Everett was arrested Saturday morning for allegedly setting fire to a popular college pub in Mission Hill last week, Boston police said.

Prasidda Baruwal will appear in court on multiple charges related to a fire at the Squealing Pig early Wednesday morning. He faces charges of arson of a commercial building, breaking and entering in the nighttime to commit a felony, and destruction of personal property. 

Boston police did not release any information about Baruwal’s alleged motive or other details about the incident.

Last week, crews responded around midnight to an intense fire that completely gutted the restaurant on Mission Hill’s Smith Street. The heat also damaged a nearby streetlight and two vehicles, Boston fire said.

The O’Neills, the Squealing Pig owners, said on Facebook that the fire completely destroyed the pub, which has been in business for 26 years.

“The Mission Hill community is truly a family, and we are grateful to be a part of it,” the O’Neills wrote. “Though the Squealing Pig, as we know it, may be gone, we remain committed to our beloved Mission Hill. We promise to rebuild and create a new gathering place where cherished memories can once again be made.”