Arrests Made, Warrants Issued Stemming from NY LODD Fire

Six people face charges stemming from the fire at a New York assisted living facility that killed a resident and a firefighter in March.

During a news conference Tuesday, Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh announced that four people, including two Spring Valley employees, had been arrested and charged in connection with the tragic events of March 23 at the Evergreen Court assisted living center, The Journal News reports. While batting the massive fire at the facility, veteran Spring Valley firefighter Jared Lloyd died when he became trapped, and crews were unable to reach him.

Along with the arrests, two warrants also were issued related to the fatal fire. Here's a look at who faces charges and why.

• According to her arrest warrant, Evergreen Court director Denise Kerr will be charged with second-degree reckless endangerment for her actions at the center before the fire. 
• Village building inspector Wayne Ballard and Raymond Canario were arrested and charged with offering a false instrument for filing, a felony, and second-degree falsifying business records, a misdemeanor. They're both accused of providing the state with false reports concerning the facility's fire inspections. They were processed and released and are set to appear in court in July.
• Rabbi Nathaniel Sommer and his son, Aaron, were both charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault, fourth-degree arson, two counts of third-degree assault and two counts of second-degree reckless endangerment. They were hired by the center as independent contractors to help prepare for Passover. According to reports following the fire, the facility's automated fire alarm system was turned off as part of a koshering cleansing ritual for the Jewish holiday.
• Manuel Lema faces second-degree criminal impersonation and second-degree obstructing governmental administration, both misdemeanors, according to his arrest warrant. Lema did not work for the center at the time of the fire.

"Today is the culmination of a multi-agency investigation that left no stone unturned," Walsh said during the news conference. "We can't bring Jared Lloyd back, but this is a step in the right direction."

"Our goal is to hold those responsible for the fire and the deaths responsible for their actions," he added.

The announcement concerning the arrests and charges comes nearly a week after county, state and federal investigators raided Spring Valley offices as part of a probe into the fire. The investigation, which is still ongoing and encompasses the entire village, is trying to determine if documents connected to the fire are possibly fraudulent.

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Investigators also are trying to determine what led to a drop in water pressure for firefighters during the incident, despite its close proximity to a 13-story water tank, according to The Journal News. A hydrant near the center's entrance had its water connection broken because a lack of press sucked it off the ground.

Lloyd, 35, trained as a volunteer firefighter and had served in the fire service for 15 years. He made the rank of second lieutenant as part of Spring Valley's Columbian Engine Co. No. 1. 

Lloyd is survived by his wife and two sons. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Lloyd's family.