Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
L.I. Police Arrest Volunteer Firefighter For Setting Fatal Fire
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 21, 2009
Modified Mar 21, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 21, 2009
Modified Mar 21, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A volunteer firefighter was charged with arson and four counts of murder for allegedly setting a fire that killed a mother and three children in Lawrence last month. WCBS 2 describes Caleb Lacey, 19, as a former volunteer firefighter, but Newsday says he was a volunteer with the Lawrence/Cedarhurst Fire Department at the time of the fire. The fire occurred in the stairwell of a building with a laundromat on the first floor and apartments on the second; officials had found traces of accelerant at the scene. Some tenants survived by jumping out of the apartment's windows, but others died—and it was discovered the building's fire escape was removed in 2003. No details were given for a motive.
Tagged
arson
fatal fire
fire
lawrence
long island
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .