Morrisonville man charged with arson

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October 2, 2009

By LOIS CLERMONT The Press Republican Fri Oct 02, 2009, 11:47 AM EDT

MORRISONVILLE — A Morrisonville man has been charged with setting fire to the house he lived in at 1210 Military Turnpike.

Fire gutted the home Wednesday night despite a quick knockdown by the local fire departments. Morrisonville, District 3, South Plattsburgh and Cadyville crews were involved in the effort.

State Police Investigator Larry Kragle said Mark Brown, 45, was charged with third-degree arson and resisting arrest.

Kragle said fire investigators believe a flammable liquid was used to start the fire in the kitchen.

He described Brown as “very, very drunk” that night and said he “wrestled with troopers” when they tried to arrest him.

Kragle said Brown mentioned something about having lost his job, although that apparently happened some time ago.

Brown was arraigned before Plattsburgh Town Justice Christina Bezrutczyk and sent to Clinton County Jail for not paying $25,000 bail and $50,000 bond.

Although Brown had been living in the house, it is actually owned by his mother, Marie Brown, who lives right nearby.

“I took it over about four or five years ago when my son was having some financial trouble,” she said Friday. “I’m a nervous wreck about this.”

Marie, who lives on a limited Social Security income, had no insurance on the house.

Her grandson Justin Brown ran to the burning house when he saw the smoke. His father, Mark, was outside, but Justin decided to try to go in to see if he could save anything.

“I busted open the back door and got hit by some falling plastic,” Justin said Friday. “Smoke came barrelling out the minute I opened the door.”

He had to get out quickly.

Justin went back into the burned house later to see if he could salvage anything amid the charred and smoke-damaged remains.

“I stayed up all night in there,” he said, getting out what was usable. He was glad he found some undamaged pictures of family members from years ago.

Marie is worried she will be required to clean up the property; she doesn’t have the resources to do that.

Anyone who wants to help can contact her at 561-7795.