Former Sleepy Hollow Firefighter Pleads Guilty to Arson

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced:

Trent Bronner, 23, of 126 Valley Street, Sleepy Hollow, New York, pled guilty Monday to:

• two counts of Arson in the Second Degree, a class “B” Felonies,
• and one count of Arson in the Fourth Degree, a class “E” Felony.

On ., a resident of Cedar Street woke up when her dog started barking. Her house faces 13 Cedar Street, and as she approached her front window, she hears a crackling sound, looked out in time to see fire rising up under the front porch of 13 Cedar Street.

Fearing the fire would spread across the electric lines to her house, she evacuated her 80 year old mother. Once outside, she began screaming and warning her neighbors to get out of their house.

Residents of 13 Cedar Street evacuated their house, as the fire spread to 19 Cedar Street, which is adjacent to 13 Cedar, separated by only a few feet.

The Fire Department was called and responded to the fire that would eventually leave 19 people homeless.

Both houses were condemned as result of the damage sustained during the fire.

Due to the nature of the fire, it was immediately deemed suspicious.

The Westchester County Cause and Origin Team determined that the fire was intentionally set and originated under the porch of 13 Cedar Street.

Sleepy Hollow police commenced an investigation.

During the course of the investigation, the defendant admitted to starting another fire in the Village on July 19th, 2010 at 128 Cortlandt Street.

The defendant was subsequently by Sleepy Hollow Police.

The defendant was a long time resident of Sleepy Hollow and a member of the Sleepy Hollow Volunteer Fire Department.

Sentencing will be on July 9th, 2013.

The defendant faces up to 25 years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Timothy Ward, Chief of Arson Unit prosecuted the case.