One person dies after fire in Massena; man charged with arson

MASSENA, NY (WWTI) – One person is dead and another faces arson charges following a fire in Massena Wednesday.

The Massena Fire Department responded to a 911 call from 196 Center Street around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Massena Village Police arrested 33-year-old Darren Kelly and charged him with second-degree arson in a news release Friday morning. He is currently being held without bail in the St. Lawrence County Jail. Additional charges are pending, according to Massena Police.

The fire department said they were able to contain the fire to the apartment where it broke out. The smoke caused only minimal damage to the building itself.

The American Red Cross is providing assistance to two adults and four young children ages one to seven.

The Massena Fire Department received assistance from the Massena Village Police, Massena Rescue, St. Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services, New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control, and New York State Police. The fire scene was cleared around 1 a.m. Thursday morning.