Update on In­ves­ti­gation Into Black Pond WMA Fires

We've done a number of stories about the 'suspicious' fires happening at the Black Pond WMA boardwalk.

The DEC brought us out to see what happened and the work being done to reopen the site.

The DEC believes the boardwalk was set on fire back on July 8th and once again the day after crews fixed it.

Today is the first day we have a bit more information on the investigation.

It appears a man and a woman reported the first fire to an area neighbor on July 8th around 4am. It seemed the man was burned or cut. The two left the area before responders arrived.

Here's the details from the DEC and information on how you can help investigators if you know anything:

New York State Environmental Conservation Police and New York State Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man and a woman who reported the Black Pond Boardwalk fire to an area neighbor on July 8^th. The incident was reported on July 8^th around 4am.

The man allegedly sustained a non-life threatening injury in the form of a burn or laceration.  The two individuals departed the scene prior to the arrival of medical assistance. 

DEC repaired the damage to the boardwalk and reopened it on July 15^th.

Separate from this incident, a second fire was set on July 16^th. DEC repaired the damage and reopened the boardwalk on July 22^nd.

If you have information that could assist with the investigation, please call Investigator Mark Malone with DEC Police at 1-877-457-5680 and reference case number 16-013070, or, NYSP Investigator Stephen Kealy at 315-366-6000 and reference case number 700-6217.  Information can be given anonymously.