Man sentenced in fire that destroyed Springfield block

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An 18-year-old man who set a fire that heavily damaged a historic block in downtown Springfield is going to prison for from 2 to 10 years.

Jon Gassert pleaded no contest Monday to charges that he set a fire last July that left more than 40 people homeless.

Springfield Police say Gassert was mad that his landlord had forbidden him from having an air conditioner in his apartment.

The fire heavily damaged the Ellis Block, which included a movie theater, three businesses and upstairs apartments.

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