LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) - A 51-year-old western New York man is being held in jail without bail after authorities say he set his house on fire during a 12-hour standoff with police.
State police say they went to Leonard Zientara’s home in the Niagara County town of Lewiston around 5:30 a.m. Sunday for a report of a possible assault. When troopers arrived, Zientara refused to talk to them or leave the home.
State police negotiators were brought in but Zientara refused to surrender.
Officials say he eventually climbed out a second-story window onto the roof. Around 5:15 p.m., he set the house on fire through a hole he made in the roof.
Zientara then re-entered the house and surrendered to the troopers’ SWAT team.
He has been charged with arson. It couldn’t be determined if he has a lawyer.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.