Grand jury indicts Ellisburg man in arson at estranged wife's home

ELLISBURG — A sealed indictment opened Tuesday in Jefferson County Court charges an Ellisburg man with torching the home of his estranged wife early on Feb. 13.

Nearly six hours after the blaze was discovered, the accused arsonist, Scott W. Tousley, 44, was arrested on a charge of aggravated felony driving while intoxicated.

Mr. Tousley was arraigned Tuesday in County Court on a charge of third-degree arson. He was released without bail to await prosecution.

Police said the charge brings to a conclusion a seven-month investigation by state police, the district attorney's office and the county Office of Fire and Emergency Management.

The house, on Comstock Road, was vacant when the blaze was discovered at 1:06 a.m., police said.

Mr. Tousley was arrested at 6:45 the same day, also on Comstock Road. His blood alcohol content was listed that morning as 0.23 percent. Under state law, a BAC of 0.08 percent or more constitutes intoxication, and 0.18 percent is the threshold for aggravated DWI. He had a prior felony DWI conviction in 2003.