8:30 P.M. UPDATE:
New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested 32-year-old Boyd Fenton, of Athens, P.A. after a fire at a barn structure at the Tioga Downs Casino complex. Over two dozen racehorses died in the fire.
Fenton has been charged with:
Arson in the third degree, class “C” felony
Burglary in the third degree, class “D” felony
Criminal Mischief in the second, class “D” felony
Assault in the second degree, class “D” felony
An investigation revealed that Fenton entered the barn and intentionally set a fire, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
One person who entered the burning barn in an attempt to save horses suffered second degree burns and was transported to Robert Packer Hospital for treatment.
Fenton was arraigned before a judge Thursday afternoon and remanded to the Tioga County Correctional Facility.
State Police say they have a suspect in custody for an apparent arson that occurred at Tioga Downs Casino in the Southern Tier.
An initial investigation revealed the early Thursday morning fire to a barn on the property in the town of Nichols was intentionally set and resulted in the death of numerous racehorses. No further information, including the identity of the suspect or the number of horses killed, has been released.
The investigation is ongoing.
