The Niagara Gazette
NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. — A former volunteer firefighter has been charged with arson in connection with an Oliver Street blaze that displaced the family of an African-American fireman who received a racist and threatening letter in his mailbox earlier this week.
During a press conference late Thursday, North Tonawanda Police Capt. Thomas Krantz announced the arrest of 39-year-old Matthew Juraldo who is facing one charge of second-degree arson, a B felony, in connection with the case.
Officials said Juraldo lived across the street from the home of the victim, Kenneth Walker, an African American volunteer firefighter with Gratwick Hose Fire Co. Authorities said Juraldo most recently served as a volunteer for another local company, Live Hose, but was let go from the company in July for failure to meet training requirements.
Investigators said Juraldo admitted to setting the fire at Walker’s residence. They declined to discuss any details regarding the manner in which the fire was set, saying only that the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Police also said Juraldo told them he was not responsible for the creation or delivery of the letter to Walker’s home, but has admitted to knowing the identity of the responsible party.
The matter remains under investigation.
Juraldo is due in North Tonawanda City Court at 9:30 a.m. for an arraignment on the arson charge.
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