Suspect arrested in fire at Rossie

ROSSIE — A Redwood man was arrested late Saturday afternoon in connection with a suspected arson fire Friday in the town that left a 74-year-old woman and her 55-year-old daughter homeless.

State police arrested Robert J. Fountain Jr., 48, on a charge of second-degree arson following an investigation conducted by troopers with the assistance of St. Lawrence County fire investigators. According to state police, Mr. Fountain admitted to intentionally setting fire to the residence on River Road.

The fire, which destroyed the 74 River Road residence of Agnes Bartlett and her daughter, Marilyn Bartlett, was labeled "suspicious" by county fire investigators.

"We think that the fire appeared to start outside the house and we're looking at the possibility that the fire was humanly induced," Fire Investigator W. Joseph Lacks said Saturday afternoon, shortly before Mr. Fountain was brought into custody.

Mr. Lacks said fire officials and law enforcement were "concerned about a vehicle that was reportedly at the scene just before the time of the fire."

At 10:50 p.m. Friday, the Hammond Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Mrs. Bartlett's residence, along with the Hammond Rescue Squad and mutual aid from Gouverneur, Oxbow, Brier Hill and Morristown. Mr. Lacks said the fire was subdued after about four hours.

"There was fire and heat damage along with heavy smoke throughout the entire house," he said.

Agnes Bartlett had insurance on the house. She was home alone at the time of the fire, but was able to escape with her pets.