Investigator Eric Berube of the New Hampshire Fire Marshall's office looks across the road from Joey's on the River restaurant in Claremont, N.H., on Sept. 10, 2014. A Tuesday night fire destroyed the restaurant. Looking at the building are Investigator Tom Schutzius of the New Hampshire Fire Marshall's office and Claremont Fire Department Capt. Chris Pixley. (Valley News - Jennifer Hauck) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Investigator Eric Berube of the New Hampshire Fire Marshall's office looks across the road from Joey's on the River restaurant in Claremont, N.H., on Sept. 10, 2014. A Tuesday night fire destroyed the restaurant. Looking at the building are Investigator Tom Schutzius of the New Hampshire Fire Marshall's office and Claremont Fire Department Capt. Chris Pixley. (Valley News - Jennifer Hauck) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Credit: Valley News file photograph

Claremont — Almost four years after a fire destroyed a restaurant on Main Street in Claremont, the father of the owner has pleaded guilty to setting the blaze.

Santo F. Lampiasi, 67, appeared in Sullivan Superior Court this week and entered his plea to a single count of arson for deliberately setting Joey’s on the River on fire.

Judge Brian Tucker sentenced him to serve 12 months in the Sullivan County House of Corrections. He will then remain on probation for five years, and must pay $1,240 in fines.

“We are pleased that this case has finally come to a resolution,” Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway said on Friday. He said the “successful outcome” was a collaboration between the Claremont police and fire departments and the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

Hathaway wouldn’t shed light on what Lampiasi’s motive may have been.

“Evidence regarding his motive was circumstantial, and at this juncture, I would not be willing to speculate on what his actual motive was,” Hathaway said.

On Sept. 9, 2014, the Claremont Fire Department responded to a fire call at Joey’s on the River, formerly known as Dimick’s, at 398 Main St. It was owned by Santo J. (Joey) Lampiasi, who bought it in 2012 for $60,000, according to the city’s assessing records.

About a year after the fire, the city tore down the gutted structure over safety and environmental concerns.

Last summer, a Sullivan County grand jury indicted the elder Lampiasi on a count of arson in connection with the fire, accusing him of knowingly starting it or causing an explosion.

A message left for Lampiasi’s attorney, Joseph Welsh, wasn’t immediately returned on Friday.

Lampiasi was the culinary arts instructor at the Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center in Claremont. On Friday, Director Alex Herzog said Lampiasi retired this year.

In a news release announcing the resolution to Lampiasi’s case, Deputy State Fire Marshal Keith Rodenhiser said investigating arson cases can prove difficult and lengthy.

“Arson cases can be very challenging to solve and successfully prosecute. While this case took almost four years to resolve, it is a very normal occurrence for these complex cases to remain open for two to three years or more,” Rodenhiser said. “Our ability to combat these crimes is a direct result of the innovative efforts and the collaborative multi-agency dedication to stay the course and hold those responsible accountable.”

Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.