Utica man charged after apartment fire sparks arson investigation
Utica, NY – A midafternoon fire that tore through an upstairs apartment on Court Street earlier this month has now been ruled arson, with police charging a 32-year-old Utica man after witnesses and surveillance video led investigators to a suspect.
Just before 3 p.m. on January 14, Utica police and fire crews were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Court Street for a reported structure fire. Firefighters were able to stop the spread of the flames quickly and determined the blaze originated in one of the upstairs apartments.
As crews worked the scene, investigators learned the fire may have been intentionally set by an individual who left the residence shortly before first responders arrived. The case was turned over to the Utica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.
Through witness interviews and a review of extensive surveillance footage, detectives identified Raul Dalmau, 32, of Utica, as the suspect. On January 26, Dalmau was located and charged with arson in the fourth degree.
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No injuries were reported, and police have not released details about a possible motive. The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
- Fire broke out in an upstairs apartment on Court Street on January 14
- Investigators say evidence indicated the fire was intentionally set
- Raul Dalmau, 32, of Utica, was charged with fourth-degree arson
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