Columbia County – SHERIFF’S OFFICE MAKES ARREST IN CASE OF AUSTERLITZ HOUSE FIRE
Austerlitz, NY- Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that after an investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Branch, it was determined that the house fire that occurred on Friday August 7, 2015 at 72 Cool Timber Road in the Town of Austerlitz was not an accident.
On Friday August 7, 2015, Deputy Sheriff’s were dispatched by Columbia County 911 for an active structure fire at the John and Nona Lange home. Upon arrival, Deputies interviewed the home owners, who indicated that they along with their son were the only ones home at the time of the fire. They also stated that their son had fled the area on foot. Sheriff’s Investigators located and interviewed Galen Lange a short distance from the residence where he made statements about the fire. There were no injuries to anyone as a result of this fire.
Galen Lange was arrested today at approximately 11:17 am in Ulster County by Investigator Anthony Brahm and Deputy Thomas Merante. Judge David Cassuto in the Town of Austerlitz Court arraigned Lange, where he was remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail and is scheduled to appear back in court on August 12, 2015.
The Austerlitz Fire Department, the Columbia County Fire Coordinator, the Columbia County Cause and Origin Team, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and the Columbia County District Attorney assisted the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.
