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New York Firefighter Sentenced in Arson Murder
FRANK ELTMAN
Associated Press Writer
MINEOLA, N.Y. - A volunteer firefighter was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Friday for setting a fire that killed a mother and three of her children, an arson that prosecutors said was the firefighter's attempt to look like a hero.
Caleb Lacey, who was convicted of murder, continued to insist in court that he was not guilty. Prosecutors said Lacey set the Feb. 19, 2009, fire several doors from his home because he wanted to be the first firefighter there.
Emotions ran high in the courtroom. Children who survived the fire were in the audience, crying. Edit Vanegas, who lost his wife, two daughters and a stepson, was in court but recorded his statement ahead of time because he was too distraught to read it in person.
Lacey was found guilty of four counts each of murder and manslaughter for setting the fire in a stairwell leading to apartments above a coin-operated laundry in Lawrence, N.Y. It was the only entrance and exit for tenants on the second floor; a fire escape had previously been removed from the building.
The fire killed Morena Vanegas, 46; her daughters Susanna and Andrea Vanegas, ages 9 and 13; and her 19-year-old son, Saul Presa. Edit Vanegas and two other young sons fled the apartment by climbing out a rear window.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press Writer
MINEOLA, N.Y. - A volunteer firefighter was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Friday for setting a fire that killed a mother and three of her children, an arson that prosecutors said was the firefighter's attempt to look like a hero.
Caleb Lacey, who was convicted of murder, continued to insist in court that he was not guilty. Prosecutors said Lacey set the Feb. 19, 2009, fire several doors from his home because he wanted to be the first firefighter there.
Emotions ran high in the courtroom. Children who survived the fire were in the audience, crying. Edit Vanegas, who lost his wife, two daughters and a stepson, was in court but recorded his statement ahead of time because he was too distraught to read it in person.
Lacey was found guilty of four counts each of murder and manslaughter for setting the fire in a stairwell leading to apartments above a coin-operated laundry in Lawrence, N.Y. It was the only entrance and exit for tenants on the second floor; a fire escape had previously been removed from the building.
The fire killed Morena Vanegas, 46; her daughters Susanna and Andrea Vanegas, ages 9 and 13; and her 19-year-old son, Saul Presa. Edit Vanegas and two other young sons fled the apartment by climbing out a rear window.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Justin R. Fank on
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That is not cool at all. Not only does it destroy his reputation, but it also hurts the fire department so badly as well. It gets people asking questions. Amen Jim give him the chair.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Cano on
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I think for one, the news paper should state: a New York Volunteer Firefighter was sentenced. It makes the New York Firefighters, who are not volunteers look bad. I am a retired San Antonio Fire Fighter. Professional firefighters have to go through a year of testing, BACKGROUND investigations and other stuff. I do not think you have to go through as much investigation when applying for a volunteer position. Excuse me if I am wrong. But this is my opinion...
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Permalink Reply by Very Rev. Tryphon Parsons on
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Given the many good men and women, throughout our land, who serve their communities by putting their lives on the line, daily, I do not believe this volunteer fire fighter has damaged your reputation. I will also say, I do not believe twenty-five years is enough. They should have given this man life without the possibility of parole.
Father Tryphon Parsons, chaplain
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Permalink Reply by Peter Dybing on
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Mark,
This is not a volunteer or paid Firefighter issue. Over the years both paid and volunteer fire staff have been convicted of setting fires. This issue is a heads up to ALL Firefighters that we must police our own, keep our eyes open and report behavior that does not fit.
Peter Dybing
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Permalink Reply by Blake Sexton on
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You’ve probably heard of firefighters being arrested for arson. It happens more than you might imagine. The vast majority of those arrests are among the ranks of volunteers
In Pennsylvania, dozens of nighttime arsons terrorized the town of Kennett Square. The culprit was not only a volunteer firefighter, he was the son of the town’s assistant chief.
In Missouri, a volunteer firefighter is awaiting trial for murder for setting a fire that led to the death of a fellow firefighter.
In Tennessee three years ago, six volunteer firefighters were arrested for setting an abandoned home ablaze, accidentally killing another volunteer fireman. But he didn’t die fighting the fire; he died spreading gasoline in the attic, when the home burst into flames
In most cases, the firefighters were volunteers. But then, close to 75 percent of the firefighters in the country are volunteers.
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“I think part of the problem lies in some of the smaller rural departments that are starved for help, and maybe if they [have] somebody that steps forward, that wants to volunteer, they’re glad to have the person and may not take a close look at their background.”
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Permalink Reply by Tom Lambui on
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While I don't think this is a paid/volunteer issue, I do agree that the headline should have been other than "NY Firefighter Sentenced in Arson Murder". Maybe Long Island volunteer fireman...blah...blah...blah...etc....etc....etc... And I also agree he should get the chair, or even better, be put to death they same way you took a life. J/M/O.
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Permalink Reply by Louis A. Coletti on
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I feel that the title of the article should be such that it DOES NOT address this unethical person as a FDNY firefighter. This is a disgrace to all the firefighters across this country. This person should be given life without parole and a video of this devastating crime should be played in his cell 24/7 and reminded of the pain and suffering the children and families of the victims have experienced. This person is not a firefighter but a disgrace to the firefighting community. Please change the title of this story to something other than NY Firefighter, our ethical standards are of the highest caliber.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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This is very sad to hear because our job is to help minimize the loss of life and property not the opposite! I agree that he should get the death penalty! I also agree that this is not a volunteer or career thing, this is an idiot thing and his punishment should be more severe! He was not a true firefighter because true firefighters don't try to be hero's, we just do our job because we love what we do! If you want to be a hero put on some tights and a cape and go to a comic book convention, if you want to be a firefighter, gear up and put the fire out, don't start them!
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Permalink Reply by Allen E Baltzer on
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We do require quite an extensive background check and interview for all 5 Sta in our Dept. also we require all new members a 6 month prob. I realize that we are not the norm, as training officer i attend classes at neighboring Co.s regularly and, in some cases its quite frightening!! Penn is almost All Vol companys all operating the same or close, equipment, and tactics, and yet we seem to all have a dif idea than most paid depts when it comes to Arsonist detection. We need to stop the rift between old and younger members that i see has formed in ALOT of NEPA Vol Fire Depts. Start looking at our members and get honor back into what we do. ANYONE who looks suspicious NEEDS to be addressed quickly and without any question, and if a question remains... DISMISSED!! New members esp, probees and rookies need to be watched for the "signs" as well as older members. We owe it to all that have worn the helmet before us to never allow the Brotherhood to be tarnished! In Pa. it seems too many of us have lost sight of that...
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