Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Setting Fires in Station

An upstate New York firefighter has been charged in connection with a series of fires set in his own fire station. William L. Smith, 22, of the West Glen Falls Volunteer Fire Company was arrested by state police and investigators from the state fire marshals office last Friday.

Smith is believed to be responsible for a series of small fires set in various electrical outlets in the station, including one on July 31, 2012 that damaged a cable TV modem. He has not been charged in connection with a more serious fire on July 31, 2012 that damaged the station’s kitchen.

Apparently critical to the solving the case was a computerized security system that tracks members entering the building. The Poststar.com is reporting that authorities say Smith admitted to his involvement in the smaller fires, but not the most serious one.

Smith was a member of the department’s board of directors and was responsible for station maintenance.

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