Post by scannerman5555 on Mar 14, 2004 20:17:26 GMT -5
Selden
Cops: Fire was set
March 14, 2004, 8:12 PM EST
A fire that was apparently set at a Selden home early Sunday is being investigated as a possible hate crime, Suffolk County detectives said.
But relatives of the owner of the home can't recall ethnic tensions that could lead to an attack, adding that they don't know why anyone would want to destroy the house.
Bias Crimes Bureau officials said the fire was set at the Buckskin Lane home about 3:20 a.m., and that the person or people who ignited it used an accelerant.
Passing motorists noticed the flames and alerted residents of the house, natives of the Dominican Republic, who together doused the fire before it got out of control.
No one was injured and damage estimates were unavailable Sunday.
While the incident is being investigated as a bias crime, Bias Crimes Bureau officials could not be reached for comment.
Fanny Acosta, whose father owns and lives in the house, said he rents part of the home to tenants. She said her father, Carlos Acosta, has no enemies.
"My dad doesn't have any problems," said Acosta, who lives nearby, adding that her father has been out of the country for a few weeks. "We never really had any problems with neighbors, so I think it was against the other people who live there."
She said she has not lived in that home for over 10 years.
Zaidy Acosta, another daughter who lives nearby, said the family had some friction with certain neighbors several years ago, but that those residents no longer live on the block.
"My dad gets along with everybody," she said.
Police are asking anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
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