SCHODACK, NY — A Rensselaer man was arrested Wednesday following an investigation into a fire at the Victorian Motel in Schodack.
According to Schodack Police, officers responded at about 8:30 a.m. Oct. 29 to a report of a structure fire at 752 Columbia Turnpike.
Upon arrival, police found heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the building.
Jacob W. Ruth, 30, of Rensselaer, was on scene and identified as the occupant of room 6, where the fire had started.
With assistance from the Rensselaer County Fire Investigators, police determined the cause of the fire was incendiary.
On Nov. 19, Ruth was arrested and arraigned at Nassau Town Court.
He was released under the supervision of the Probation Department.
Ruth is charged with one count of arson in the second degree, a Class B felony, and two counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree, Class D felonies.
The investigation is ongoing.
