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Two volunteer firefighters were indicted Monday on arson charges stemming
from two fires March 13.
Brian Fitzgerald, 20, and James Nicoliello, 23, members of the South
Blooming Grove Volunteer Fire Department are accused of setting fire to a
home under construction in Blooming Grove shortly before 3 a.m.
When that fire blew itself out, the pair moved to the Rolling Hill
Condominium Complex and tried again,
Blooming Grove police Sgt. John Heppes said. A fire was ignited in the
laundry room of a 34-unit apartment building.
No injuries were reported in either fire. Fitzgerald and Nicoliello were
arrested less than 24 hours later
and were suspended from the department.
Fitzgerald had been part of the department for about two years, while
Nicoliello had been a member for five years. Both men were charged with
one count each of second-degree arson, third-degree arson
and first-degree reckless endangerment, all felonies. They are both being
held in Orange County Jail
in lieu of $100,000 bail.
They could face a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted, said Orange
County District Attorney Frank Phillips.
Jessica Gardner
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