By Rocco Parascandola 
Newsday

NEW YORK — Two firefighters appeared in court yesterday, heads bowed in shame, to answer charges they tried to set fire to a Hell's Kitchen firehouse.

Fire marshals believe the Saturday morning stunt was nothing more than a prank, but New York Fire Department Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta was so angry he issued a statement that called the alleged arson "an outrageous, depraved act that should be prosecuted to the full extent under the law."

The suspects, Michael Izzo, 30, and Richard Capece, 31, were caught on videotape going to the BP service station at West 38th Street and 10th Avenue at 2:15 a.m. Saturday, according to the criminal complaint filed against them.

According to the complaint, Capece, using his MasterCard, bought a red gasoline container, about a gallon of gas and a blue cigarette lighter. The suspects drove off in a black SUV and headed to Engine 34, Ladder 21, less than two blocks away. There, the complaint said, another video camera shows the suspects exiting the SUV a minute apart: first Izzo, carrying the gas container, then Capece.

The video shows a "large fireball that erupts in front of the firehouse," then both suspects run back to the SUV and drive off, the complaint said.

Five firefighters were inside the firehouse at the time. They were able to douse the flames before the blaze spread. No one was hurt, but the main door to the firehouse was charred.

Fire sources said Capece used to work at that firehouse and that marshals believe the arson was a prank.

But as one source noted, "who knows what could have happened had the flames spread?"

The suspects were arraigned early yesterday on charges of arson and reckless endangerment and released later after posting a $30,000 bond.

Capece, a five-year veteran assigned to Engine 1, in Manhattan, and Izzo, a six-year veteran assigned to Engine 242, in Bay Ridge, were suspended without pay.

"I have no idea what went on. [But] if he was a bad guy, I wouldn't allow him near my three boys," a neighbor of Izzo's who did not want his name used said yesterday. "He is a good guy. He's helpful. If I need him for anything, he'll drop everything to help me."

Their colleagues were tight-lipped yesterday, but one firefighter at Engine 34, Ladder 21 spoke on condition of anonymity, calling Capece "a dear friend."

"And I love him to death," the firefighter said. "But we're instructed not to comment about it."

Neither the suspects' lawyers nor their union had any comment.

Matthew Nestel and Maria Alvarez contributed to this story. 

Copyright 2007 Newsday, Inc.