17-year-old male charged in arson attempt

Rochester, New York — On Thursday the Rochester Fire Department (RFD) and Rochester Police Department (RPD) responded to a call that a male set a plastic bin on fire at an occupied multi-family residence on Clifford Avenue.

While attempting to extinguish the fire, the crews encountered a 17-year-old male who started to throw numerous objects at the firefighters from the 2nd floor of the structure.

Firefighters backed away, awaiting the police.

When RPD arrived, they found the 17-year-old in the 2nd-floor apartment’s bathtub armed with a knife. The male was arrested without further incident.

The Arson Task Force assisted the RFD Fire Investigation Unit in charging the subject with attempted arson and obstructing firefighter operations.

The RFD Fire Investigative Unit was called in and determined a trash tote had been intentionally set on fire on the front porch by the male suspect after he intentionally dragged it there with the intent of arson. The male also tried to puncture a pickup truck’s tires across the street with a knife before setting the fire. The male was brought to a medical facility and cleared before questioning. The male admitted to his criminal actions of arson, obstructing firefighter operations, and violating a court order of protection.

No injuries or displacement occurred during this incident.

According to RPD reports, it has been to the location on Clifford Avenue in the past for violent family troubles involving the same male suspect.