BPD: Smoker ignited debris leading to Equinox fire

Friday, June 2, 2023 - 18:00

BETHLEHEM — Tuesday’s fire that destroyed two Equinox apartment buildings was started with a Delmar man smoking a joint in the nearby courtyard, according to a Friday release from Bethlehem Police.

Juan W. Miranda, 35, was arrested on June 2 for making a false written statement, a misdemeanor. He is charged with giving false information to detectives during their initial investigation.

“The investigation into the fire revealed that Miranda was smoking a marijuana cigarette in the courtyard near buildings #9 and #11 Equinox Ct, which resulted in the ignition of dried lawn debris,” said the release. “Due to the dry conditions the fire spread rapidly causing both buildings to become fully involved.”

 Although no one was injured, eight families were displaced by the fire — 12 adults and five children, ranging in age from 3 to 17.

Miranda was processed on the misdemeanor charge and released on an appearance ticket to return to Bethlehem Town Court on June 20 at 4 p.m.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer

More Bethlehem News

  • Bethlehem completes Stangle-Nolan project under budget

    Using a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the town of Bethlehem purchased 68 acres from town residents Marilyn Stangle and Betty Nolan, who wanted to protect the land from solar developers. The town had previously approved around $50,000 of its own funds to cover extra expenses, but ended up using just half that. 

  • Bethlehem renews Heath Farm lease as ambitious project continues

    The town executed a lease agreement at its March meeting that would charge Michael Stanton, of Stanton Farms, LLC,  $45 per acre for 216 tillable acres at the historic Heath Farm property. Stanton Farm, which had already farmed the land under an agreement with the previous property owner, was the only applicant for the lease.

  • County extends biosolids moratorium

    Following a water-quality crisis in January, Albany County placed a 90-day moratorium on the use of biosolid fertilizers to assess the need for regulations on the toxic substance, and extended it on April 16 for an additional 180 days.

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.