2017 Cohoes fire

Last updated
2017 Cohoes fire
DateNovember 30, 2017 (2017-11-30)
Location Cohoes, New York
Coordinates 42°46′14″N73°42′03″W / 42.7705°N 73.7008°W / 42.7705; -73.7008
Type Structure fires
Property damageAt least $4 million
ConvictedJohn Gomes
Charges Arson, Reckless endangerment
Sentence1 year imprisonment and $600,000 fine

The 2017 Cohoes fire was a non-fatality fire that destroyed three residential buildings and affected 28 others in Cohoes, New York. Damage was estimated to be at least $4 million. [1] [2] The fire started on November 30, 2017 when a local resident, John Gomes, attempted to imitate a metalworking technique from the History Channel series Forged in Fire . Flames from a burn-barrel he was using were spread by wind to adjacent structures. [3]

Gomes was charged with counts of felony arson and reckless endangerment, and released after posting bail. Around 28 people, including Gomes, were displaced. [1] No deaths were reported. There were minor injuries, including a firefighter who was taken to a hospital. [3] Gomes pleaded guilty to arson and in June 2018, he was sentenced to one year in jail and a $600,000 fine. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 Fortin, Jacey (December 2, 2017). "Man Inspired by TV Show 'Forged in Fire' Sets Off Huge Blaze, Officials Say". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  2. "Sword-forger pleads guilty in massive Cohoes fire case". Times Union . March 14, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Man trying to imitate TV show sparks massive N.Y. inferno, mayor says". CBS News. December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  4. "Cohoes man sentenced for Remsen Street fire". The Record . June 26, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.