Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
(TNS)
Jul. 18—MASSENA — One person is dead and a suspect is in custody stemming from the Wednesday afternoon fire at 196 Center St., Massena.
St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary M. Pasqua said Darren Kelley, no age or address available, had been arraigned on a 2nd-degree arson charge.
"There was a fatality at the address of the fire. That is still under investigation as to the cause of that. Just in general, it's still under investigation and there may be additional charges down the line," Pasqua said.
The name of the victim and cause of death has not yet been released.
Massena Fire Chief Patrick M. O'Brien had said earlier in that the fire was considered a "criminal investigation."
Volunteers from the Central and Northern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross are providing immediate emergency aid to six people following the fire. That includes financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food and clothing for two adults and four children, ages 1, 2, 6 and 7.
O'Brien said they responded to a report of a structure fire at 4:26 p.m., initially responding with Engine 30, Rescue 77, Rescue 79, and Tower 3.
"Within nine minutes of dispatch, all residents had been removed from the building, and the fire was contained to the apartment of origin," he said. "Overall, the structure received minimal damage, mostly due to smoke."
An hour later, police tape surrounded the building as the investigation continued.
O'Brien said Massena Fire Engine 30 and the County Unified Command Vehicle cleared the scene just before 1 a.m., after eight hours on the scene. They were assisted on the scene by the Massena Police Department, Massena Rescue Squad, St. Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and state police.
"Due to an ongoing criminal investigation, Massena Fire will refer all media inquiries to our law enforcement partners and will not comment further on the specifics of the response," O'Brien said.
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