TICONDEROGA -- A Ticonderoga man has been charged with setting his own house on fire during a domestic dispute.

Darren A. Fleury, 40, of Ticonderoga was indicted by an Essex County grand jury on charges of felony fourth-degree arson and misdemeanor second-degree reckless endangerment.

He is accused of setting his home, located at 48 Cossey St., Ticonderoga, on fire March 16.

The 4:30 a.m. fire had been listed as suspicious by the Essex County Fire Investigation Unit.

The home was owned and occupied by Mr. Fleury and his wife, Jacqueline Fleury, who were apparently having an argument, during which Mr. Fleury allegedly started the fire.

The indictment says Mr. Fleury "did recklessly engage in conduct which created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person by recklessly tossing a lit paper towel on a rug with his wife present."

Ticonderoga Emergency Squad took an unidentified firefighter to Moses-Ludington Hospital for treatment of a back injury sustained while battling the blaze.

Mr. Fleury was arraigned in Essex County Court and released on his own recognizance by Judge Richard Meyer. He is due back in court Dec. 9.

lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com