Three Pets Were Killed in the Blaze
A Plainview man has been arrested for arson after he allegedly set a house on fire.
On May 26 at 7:50 p.m., Nassau County officers responded to an Eileen Avenue residence for reports of a fire. The Bethpage Fire Department responded with the assistance of several neighboring fire departments and extinguished the flames.
Subsequent to the investigation, it was determined that Jahan Kia, 40, a tenant of the house, was allegedly found responsible for starting a fire on the basement stairwell and was placed into custody. There were no residents inside the house, but two dogs and one cat were found deceased inside the home due to the fire.
Nassau County Fire Marshals and Nassau Police Arson/Bomb Squad responded to the scene. Two firefighters suffered injuries as a result of the fire and were transported to an area hospital for smoke inhalation and burns to the hands. No further injuries were reported.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police charged Kia with third-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief and torturing/injuring animals. He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 27 at First District Court in Hempstead.