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Syracuse Police have made an arrest in connection with a fire in a 12 story apartment building. Red Cross volunteers have opened a shelter at SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College.
Syracuse Police released the following update on Sunday:
The Syracuse Police Department has made an arrest in connection with the fire/explosion at 947 Pond Street, the Vinette Towers, that occurred last night at about 10:33 p.m.
It was determined that Scott Dimond (38-year-old male) was fashioning his own fireworks when he made an apparent miscalculation of chemicals which resulted in an explosion and subsequent damage to the apartment. Dimond, who suffered several burns to his person, was arrested for multiple New York State Penal Law charges to include:
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd
Arson in the 4th Degree
Assault in the 3rd Degree
Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree
Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree
Dimond remains at University Hospital where he is being treated for burns to approximately 50% of his body. For more information please see the original information release below.
On Saturday, the 9th day of July 2022, at around 10:33 p.m. the Syracuse Fire Department was dispatched to 947 Pond Street, the Vinette Towers, for a fire alarm call. Moments later a caller reported the presence of heavy smoke on the 6th floor of the multi-unit structure. Several members of the Syracuse Police Department also responded to assist the fire department.
At this time the fire is believed to have originated in apartment 608. There were at least two people transported to Upstate Hospital for treatment and at least two people at the scene who were treated and released by EMS personnel. The two persons who were transported to the hospital remain in stable condition at this time. The cause of the fire is still being investigated by fire investigators with the Syracuse Fire Department.
The investigation is active and ongoing, and anyone with information is strongly encouraged to call the Syracuse Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (315) 442-5222 or the Syracuse Fire Department at (315) 473-5525. The Syracuse Police Department would also like to thank the community members in advance for all and all assistance they can provide.