A commercial fire alarm at Barringer Gardens alerted Charlotte Fire to the retirement home on August 20 at approximately 2:40 a.m.
Upon arriving on the scene, firefighters say they found smoke in the hallways and an activated sprinkler system and soon got the fire under control.
An investigation shows the fire was intentionally set and Johnny Mack was identified as a suspect.
Mack was arrested and charged with first-degree arson and malicious damage use of an explosive or incendiary device to occupied property.
There were no reported injuries. The fire caused an estimated $15,000 in damage.