By Leila Merrill
FireRescue1
THOMPSON, N.Y. — Mohammed Islam, 33, pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree manslaughter in connection with the line-of-duty death of an assistant chief with Forestburgh Fire Company, the Times Herald-Record reported.
Islam admitted to intentionally setting a fire on Jan. 15 that led to the fatal heart attack of William “Billy” Steinberg, 37, who was working the mutual aid call triggered by the Monticello Fire Department. Steinberg collapsed and was immediately treated by colleagues on scene before being transported to Garnet Health Medical Center Catskills, where he was pronounced dead.
Islam had previously been arrested and charged with arson and burglary for two separate fires, prior to the fatal blaze he set on Jan. 15. His sentencing date is Dec. 19 and he is being held in jail.