A Mendon man was placed on probation Tuesday after pleading guilty to charges of obstructing firefighters' efforts to put out a blaze that leveled his home last year.
David W. Cheschi, 51, formerly of 138 Blackstone St., Mendon, was placed on probation for three years after pleading guilty in Worcester Superior Court to charges of interfering with firefighters, obstructing firefighting efforts and resisting arrest.
As conditions of the period of probation imposed by Judge James R. Lemire, Mr. Cheschi, who has a history of mental illness, was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and any related treatment recommended by the Probation Department and to continue with counseling he has been receiving from Arbour Counseling Services.
Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Simmons said Mendon police and firefighters responded to 138 Blackstone St., Mendon on the night of March 5, 2015, for a fire that had been reported by a passerby. Firefighter Dan Fluerry, the first member of the Fire Department to arrive at the scene, found flames shooting from the left rear basement corner of the house, which was under foreclosure, and saw Mr. Cheschi sitting in the driver's seat of a running van that was blocking the driveway, according to Mr. Simmons.