SULLIVAN COUNTY — The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that they’ve made an arrest in connection to a structure fire that occurred earlier this month.

As previously reported in the Democrat, firefighters were called to the scene of a structure fire at 428 Fraser Road, which is across the street from the Kiamesha Bowling Alley in the Town of Thompson, on August 2 at about 1:40 p.m.

The Sheriff’s Office stated that firefighters that were on the scene evacuated seven residents from the multiple occupancy dwelling, including an 11-month-old infant and a 59-year-old man who was trapped and suffered burns.

Sullivan County fire investigators said that the fire appeared to be intentionally set and requested assistance from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday, August 11, deputies arrested Charles James Ellis, 28, of Kiameshia Lake.

It is alleged that Ellis, who the Sheriff’s Office said is a member of the Bloods Street Gang, intentionally set the fire to cover up the burglary of a room in the building.

Ellis was taken into custody in Liberty with the assistance of the Village of Liberty Police Department and charged with felony counts of Arson, Burglary, Reckless Endangerment and Assault.

He was arraigned in the Town Thompson Court before Judge Sharon Jankiewicz and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail without bail.

Sheriff Mike Schiff said that this was a serious crime that could have resulted in multiple fatalities. It is reported that embers from the fire were falling into the crib of the 11-month-old child when firefighters arrived.

“The structure was an old rooming house that the fire moved through very quickly”, said Sheriff Schiff. “Our firefighters did an outstanding job and saved lives”.

The 59-year-old male resident who suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns was transported to Westchester Medical Center and is expected to recover. Sheriff Schiff acknowledged Deputy Sheriff Corey Dixon who took the lead in the investigation and eventually tracked down the suspect to a residence in Liberty.

Assisting the Monticello Fire Department at the scene of the fire on August 2nd were fire departments from Rock Hill, Wurtsboro, Woodridge, Liberty, Livingston Manor, White Sulphur Springs and Hurleyville. The Port Jervis Fire Department also assisted along with the Bethel F.A.S.T Team, Sullivan County Fire Investigators, MobileMedic EMS, Hackensack AirMed One and the New York State Police.