Dryden, NY – A fire Saturday that severely damaged an Ithaca police sergeant’s house here was arson, state police said today. State and Ithaca city fire investigations made the determination after an investigation Sunday at the 60 Etna Road, Dryden, home of Ithaca Police Sgt. Byran Bangs, state police said. Troopers are releasing no details at this time about why...
Dryden, NY – A fire Saturday that severely damaged an Ithaca police sergeant’s house here was arson, state police said today.
State and Ithaca city fire investigations made the determination after an investigation Sunday at the 60 Etna Road, Dryden, home of Ithaca Police Sgt. Byran Bangs, state police said. Troopers are releasing no details at this time about why investigators believe the fire was intentionally set or by what means, state police Lt. Jeffrey Van Auken said.
Firefighters from three departments and state police, Tompkins County sheriff’s deputies and Ithaca police all responded about 4 a.m. Saturday to the fire. Bangs, who was home alone, was awakened by the fire and escaped with minor smoke inhalation, troopers said. He was treated at Cayuga Medical Center and released.
The state police, the Tompkins County sheriff’s and district attorney’s offices, the Ithaca police and the Ithaca College Public Safety office are continuing the criminal investigation. Van Auken asked people with information to call the state police Ithaca barracks at (607) 347-4440. All calls will remain confidential, he said.