Cleveland man indicted on aggravated arson counts in vacant house blast pleads not guilty

Not guilty plea from man in Ohio house blast

CLEVELAND — A Cleveland man has pleaded not guilty to charges he broke into the vacant house next door and caused it to blow up, resulting in damage throughout the neighborhood.

Fifty-seven-year-old William Calderwood was indicted earlier this month on one count of burglary and 72 counts of aggravated arson. During his arraignment Wednesday, a Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH’-guh) County Common Pleas Court judge set bond at $250,000.

Authorities say the fiery Jan. 25 blast damaged 72 homes on Cleveland’s west side.

Prosecutors say Calderwood stole appliances, furniture and pipes from the vacant house and tampered with its gas line before the explosion.