Cause of Fire on South Main Street Suspicious – Woman Charged With Arson

Note: This story has been updated with additional information provided by Cortland Police

A short time after 12:30 Sunday afternoon, Cortland Fire was dispatched to 204 Main Street in Cortland after Cortland Police in the area. Police say they officers were clearing a call nearby when they were flagged down by a resident of the apartment building saying his apartment was filling with smoke.

Arriving on scene, Cortland Fire says firefighters did not see smoke or fire coming from the exterior of the 2-story 4-unit apartment building. Firefighters then went inside the building to investigate and onto the second floor where they encountered a moderate smoke condition coming through the floor.

A fire was located above the ceiling in a first floor bedroom. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and it was brought under control within 10 minutes from arrival.

No injuries were reported.

Cortland Fire says due to the damage caused by the fire, the building was deemed unsafe to occupy. The Red Cross was called to assist the tenants.

An investigation into the cause of the fire by Cortland Fire’s Investigation Team determined the fire to be incendiary in nature.

The investigation found the fire began in the ceiling area below apartment #2. Police say a resident of the apartment above #2, apartment #3, Jacqueline Rood, admitted to police she had intentionally started the fire.

The investigation found Rood allegedly pushed a burning cloth through a ceiling tile in an attempt to start a fire in the upstairs apartment located above hers.

She was taken into custody without incident and charged with Arson in the 2nd, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd, both Felonies, and Reckless Endangerment, a Misdemeanor. Rood was arraigned and released to Alternatives to Incarceration. She is due in Cortland City Court later this month.

Providing standby coverage for Cortland Fire while they were on scene was Homer, Cortlandville, and McGraw Fire Departments. National Grid and NYSEG, along with TLC Ambulance also responded to the scene.