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The cause of a massive fire in Gloversville, New York, has been ruled suspicious, leading to the arrest of a 17-year-old boy. The fire broke out on Tuesday (April 29) at the former Fownes factory building on South Main Street, destroying the historic structure and damaging nearby businesses. The teenager, whose identity is not disclosed due to his age, faces multiple felony charges, including arson, burglary, criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment, according to Times Union.
The blaze, reported around 7 p.m., was challenging to control due to adverse weather conditions, including rain and wind. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The fire spread to other businesses, including Adirondack Exotics, which reported losing everything in the fire, including animals, as noted by WNYT.
The suspect was identified following a public tip after police released video footage showing a person in an orange shirt riding a bicycle near the scene. The Gloversville Police Department, assisted by various local agencies, including the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, conducted the investigation. Gloversville Mayor Vince DeSantis praised the quick work of the police in making the arrest, as reported by CBS6 Albany.
Authorities continue to seek information from the public. Anyone with details is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Andrew Wilson at 518-773-4569.