Burlington man charged with burning down his historic mansion [Video]

A 65-year-old man has been charged with burning down his historic mansion in Burlington.

Robert A. Staton was charged Wednesday in connection to the fire, which happened last week. Staton faces charges of negligent handling of burning material, as well as two counts of felony bail jumping.

You can read the full criminal complaint here.

If convicted of the charges, Staton faces more than 12 years in prison.

There was no shortage of visitors on Kane Street in Burlington Saturday afternoon, taking in what was left of a still smoldering building.

The historic Meinhardt mansion was destroyed in a fire Friday, leaving community members shocked and devastated by the loss.

“It’s just sad you know,” area neighbor Mark Leemkuil said. “It’s all very sad to think what was there before, and how they’re probably going to have to tear it down now.”

Leemkuil said he was awoken early on Friday morning by sirens as Burlington Fire worked to …