Two teens charged with setting Coxsackie fire

COXSACKIE―Two teens are facing multiple felony charges after police say they intentionally set fire to a vacant church in Coxsackie on Sunday afternoon.

Greene County 911 began taking calls around 3:50 p.m. reporting a structure fire at 47 Ely Street.

The Coxsackie Fire Department was dispatched along with Coxsackie Ambulance and Greene County Paramedics. Minutes later, the Greene County Sheriff's Office patrol reported that the brick structure was fully involved.

Athens, Medway-Grapeville and Earlton fire departments were requested to the scene. An additional ambulance was also called in for a firefighter who sustained minor injuries, the Coxsackie Fire Department reported.

The bulk of the fire was knocked down in less than 20 minutes but due to suspicion of arson, the Greene County Fire Investigation Team was requested to the scene to work alongside the sheriff’s office, according to the Coxsackie Fire Department.

Sheriff’s Office Captain Joel Rowell said Monday that the investigation has led to the arrest of two teens, an 18-year-old male and a 14-year-old male. Names are not being released due to the teens’ ages, but Rowell said they are local to the area.

Both teens have been charged with third-degree arson, fourth-degree conspiracy, third-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief, all felonies, Rowell said.

The 18-year-old is scheduled to appear in Coxsackie Town Court, while the 14-year-old was issued an appearance ticket to Greene County Family Court.

Rowell said the investigation remains ongoing and no additional details are being released at this time.

Firefighters had cleared the scene by 6:30 p.m. but about an hour later were briefly called back due to a report of heavy smoke inside the building.

The Coxsackie Fire Department thanked “everyone that was involved in the operations and quick handle on the situation before it could get out of hand and become worse than it was.”