Arrest made after fire in Broome County

On November 16, 2024, at approximately 11:51 p.m., New York State Police at Endwell and Broome County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a fire alarm and disturbance at an apartment located at 2708 North Street in Endicott.

Troopers arrived to find that Michael J. Stephens, age 46 of Endicott, NY intentionally started a fire in the apartment and was armed with a knife. Stephens menaced Troopers and Sheriff's with the knife but then retreated into the apartment, refusing to leave. Stephens suffered from smoke inhalation from the fire and while he was near a window, a Trooper was able to climb up a ladder into a window and remove Stephens from the residence. Stephens was then transported by UVES ambulance to Wilson Medical Center for treatment.

Stephens has been charged with the class "B" felony of Arson in the second degree and the class "D" felony of Menacing a Police Officer. After release from the hospital, he was processed then transported to the Broome County Correctional Facility for Centralized Arraignment.

Members of the Endwell Fire Department, Vestal Fire Department, Endicott Fire Department and West Corners Fire Department were on scene to extinguish the fire.