Ex-Employee Charged With Setting Lockport, New York Fire That Injured Three Firefighters

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (AP) -- A former employee of a western New York business that was destroyed by fire has been charged with arson.

Niagara County Fire Coordinator James Volkosh said Kurt St. Louis, 26, of Lockport, was terminated by Kitchen World on Friday. Authorities think he spread an accelerant around a loading dock to start the blaze, which was reported around 9 a.m. Saturday.

The two-story kitchen cabinet and appliance store was not occupied, but its merchandise was a total loss. The company was celebrating its 30th anniversary over the weekend.

Three firefighters sustained minor injuries, and another was treated and released from the hospital, Volkosh said.

St. Louis faces charges of third-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree burglary and petit larceny.

He was jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail.