LI man arrested for arson after Memorial Day house fire draws 100 firefighters
A Long Island man was arrested late Monday night following a house fire that killed three pets and mobilized dozens of firefighters in Plainview, authorities said.
The Memorial Day blaze broke out just before 8 p.m. at a home on Eileen Avenue, News 12 Long Island reported, citing the Nassau County fire marshal.
Nearly 100 firefighters from six different departments battled the fire, which was mainly concentrated in the back portion of the residence, according to Bethpage Fire Department Chief Francis DeBobes.
'We had a fire out the rear of the house, the entire rear of the house, and coming out the front door,' DeBobes said.
Later on Monday, the Nassau County Police Department arrested 40-year-old Jahan Kia in connection with the fire.
Kia, who's described as a tenant of the residence, is charged with arson, criminal mischief and animal cruelty, online court records show. He's believed to have started the fire in the basement stairwell.
The fire was extinguished in about 30 minutes, officials said. While no residents were injured during the blaze, two dogs and one cat were reportedly killed.
Two firefighters were transported to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation and burns to their hands.
Kia is scheduled to be arraigned in Nassau District Court on Tuesday.
Under New York law, a person convicted of third-degree arson — defined as 'intentionally [damaging] a building or motor vehicle by starting a fire or causing an explosion' — can face up to 15 years in prison.
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