The fire took place in Ulster County around 1:45 a.m., on Saturday, June 22 in Saugerties.
When Saugerties police officers and firefighters from the Saxton Fire District arrived on the scene they found a single-family home engulfed by fire, said Chief Joseph Sinagra of the Saugerties Police.
Following an investigation, evidence was presented to an Ulster County grand jury who indicted Timothy Benzenhoefer, age 44, of Saugerties with causing the fire, the chief said.
Benzehoefer was arred on Friday, Oct. 21 and charged with:
- Burglary
- Arson
- Intentional damage
- Criminal mischief
- Criminal contempt of a court order
- Three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals
- Two counts of acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17
Saugerties Police were assisted at the scene and in the investigation by members of the:
- Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit
- Ulster County Sheriff’s Office
- Greene County Sheriff’s Office
- Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
- Saxton Fire Department
- Centerville Fire Department
- Malden-West Camp Fire Department
- Saugerties Fire Department
- Glasco Fire Department
- DIAZ Ambulance.
Benzenhoefer was remanded to the Ulster County Jail.
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