A 57-year-old man was arrested after a fire started at his Long Island garage that spread to multiple properties due to illegal fireworks, police said.
It happened on Tuesday, March 19 in Franklin Square, where a fire began in Louis Distefano’s garage at 800 Morton Avenue. Police arrived to find the flames spreading to nearby properties at 812 Morton Avenue and 587 Hewlett Street.
During the fire, fireworks stored in Distefano’s garage ignited, contributing to the chaos. One firework even shot into his living room, setting a couch ablaze.
Distefano pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and is set to appear at Hempstead’s First District Court on Tuesday, March 26.