By Massachusetts state law, can the landlord charge the tenant for fire damage?

I cannot cite the law but it's reasonable to presume that if it can be shown that you started it, you could be charged like any other damage you cause.

Agrees with Rick - if the fire department investigator and/or the insurance investigator show that the fire was started due to some fault on your part - your landlord can sue.

Hello jocko:

Not just in Mass, but in every state in this fine country of ours, if you ruin someone else's property, you're going to pay for it.

excon