Police: Hudson Valley Man Set Former Church, Shed on Fire

A Hudson Valley man is accused of setting a former local church on fire.

On Monday, the Ulster Police Department reported the arrest of 29-year-old Michael D. Watzka of East Kingston who's accused of setting two fires in Ulster County.

On February 22, members of the Ulster Police Detective Division began investigating a suspicious shed fire on John Street in the hamlet of East Kingston.

Two days later, a second fire at the former Kingston Methodist Church on Brigham Street occurred and was also believed to be set on purpose, police say.

A long investigation determined that Watzka was responsible for both fires, officials say. Police didn't release details regarding their investigation.

Watzak was charged with two counts of arson, criminal mischief, felonies, and misdemeanors for arson and criminal contempt. He was sent to Ulster County Jail without bail.

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