Tenant held on arson charges in fatal blaze
Yonkers officials say a former tenant who was being evicted was arrested Saturday and charged with arson in a blaze that killed one firefighter and injured two others. Westchester officials say 33-year-old
News 12 Staff
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Oct 3, 2009, 10:55 PM
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Updated 5,321 days ago
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Yonkers officials say a former tenant who was being evicted was arrested Saturday and charged with arson in a blaze that killed one firefighter and injured two others.
Westchester officials say 33-year-old Rafael Roldan confessed to starting the fire at 148 Waverly St., where he lived for three months before the eviction.
Yonkers Police Chief Charles Gardner says on Thursday, Roldan became upset after seeing his belongings discarded and allegedly set the home on fire.
Firefighter Patrick Joyce, 39, was forced to jump to his death from a third-story window because of intense heat.
Joyce leaves behind a wife and two young daughters.
Firefighter William Kanych and Lt. Joseph Murray, who also made the jump, are in serious but stable condition at Jacobi Medical Center.
Roldan is charged with second-degree arson, second-degree murder and burglary. He is due back in court Monday.
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