A Cayuga County woman is facing an arson charge after she allegedly set her own home ablaze last month, the Cayuga County Sheriff's office said.
Sheriff Brian Schenck said in a news release Wednesday that the office's Criminal Investigations Division charged Marea L. Slate, 48, of Brutus, with fourth-degree arson (a Class E felony) on Tuesday.Â
The charge originated from a fire at Slate's home on April 18. The home is considered a total loss, and nearby structures were also damaged.
An investigation determined Slate intentionally started the fire inside the home, Schenck said.Â
Marea L. Slate
Slate turned herself in at the Cayuga County Public Safety Building. She was released with an appearance ticket returnable to Brutus Town Court on May 27.
The sheriff’s office was assisted by New York state fire investigators and K9, the Cayuga County Office of Emergency Services, Jordan Ambulance, Auburn City Ambulance, Cayuga County 911 dispatchers and the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office, as well as fire departments from Weedsport, Elbridge, Jordan and Sennett.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the sheriff's office at (315) 253-1222 or leave a tip at or using the SaferWatch app.
Police say they evacuated Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family from the official governor’s residence after someone set fire to the building. (Scripps News)
Scripps News
Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.
