There has been no change in Todd Hall’s condition, therefore, there is no need to change his surroundings.

That was the consensus of a hearing Monday regarding Hall, the 34-year-old Lawrence County man accused of setting a deadly fire nearly nine years ago.

Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Richard Walton ruled Monday that Hall must remain at Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare in Athens where has been housed since 2000.

During the hearing, Walton accepted a report from Dr. Lori Sauer, who concluded after examining Hall that he suffers from brain damage and is unable to appreciate the consequences of his actions.

The hearing is required by state law every two years.

In July 1996, Hall tossed a lit cigarette into the Ohio River Fireworks store in Scottown. The explosion and fire killed nine people and injured another 11 individuals.

Hall was found incompetent to stand trial in the fire because of the brain damage that resulted from a childhood skateboarding accident. He is said to have the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.