<a href="mailto:jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com">By JOE LOTEMPLIO</a>
MALONE — A man whose fire got out of control and damaged several neighboring homes last Saturday has been charged with arson.
New York State Police based in Malone arrested Terry W. Bombard, 43, of 174 Maple St., Massena on Thursday on a charge of fourth-degree arson.
Bombard allegedly started a grass fire behind a residence he owns at 2564 State Route 11B in Bangor on Saturday.
The fire, whipped by winds as high as 40 mph, spread and caused extensive damage to five nearby buildings and one vehicle.
Two homes and a garage were destroyed, and two other buildings were damaged.
A home at 2568 Route 11B owned by Mike and Mona Allen was gutted, and the garage burned down. The Allens also lost a cat and kittens, but the family dog was rescued.
A home at 2570 Route 11B owned by Travis Martin was ravaged by the blaze.
A historic house at 2578 Route 11B owned by Harold Hooker was also damaged.
The house on Bombard’s property wasn’t damaged.
Five structures were on fire at the same time, and several grass fires started nearby because of the blaze.
Firefighters from all over Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties worked in 85-degree heat that day as they fought the flames.
Bombard was arraigned Thursday in Malone Town Court before Town Justice John Marsden and committed to Franklin County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 secured bond.
He was ordered to reappear in the Malone Court on May 21.
