GOUVERNEUR, NY - Gouverneur-based State Police arrested Robert J. Fountain, Jr., 48, of Redwood, NY in conjunction with Friday night's house fire in Rossie.

The home of Agnes and Marilyn Bartlett at 74 River Road in Rossie was heavily damaged by what authorities called a "suspicious fire" late Friday night, September 18th, 2009.  The owner of the home, Agnes Bartlett, was home at the time and was able to escape with her pets but despite the best efforts of Hammond, Gouverneur, Oxbow, Brier Hill, and Morristown Fire Departments, the home was completely destroyed.

Police say that Fountain admitted to intentionally setting fire to the residence.  He was charged with 2nd-Degree Arson.

Fountain was arraigned in the Town of Fowler Court and remanded to the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.