Man Sentenced for Fire Killing N.Y. Firefighter

A man convicted of setting a 2009 blaze that killed a Yonkers firefighter was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years to life in prison, according to The Journal News.

Rafael Roldan agreed to the prison term three months ago when he pled guilty to killing Firefighter Patrick Joyce and injuring Lt. Joe Murray and Firefighter William Kanych.

Crews responded to the fire at a three-story multifamily structure on Waverly Street on Oct. 2, 2009 after Roldan broke into the home and started a fire as revenge for being evicted.

A flashover during the fire forced the three firefighters to bail from a third-story window. Joyce landed head-first and died. Murray was forced into early retirement due to his injuries while Kanych has since returned to work.

Joyce's twin, Peter, remembered his brother as someone who was always willing to help.

"Pat was only happy when everyone else was happy," he told the newspaper.

Their brother, FDNY Firefighter Martin Joyce, said the family feels no satisfaction or closure and hopes the sentence deters other would-be arsonists, according to the report.