Worker charged with arson in Thruway shed fire

A worker has been charged with arson in the massive fire that ripped through the Thruway Authority's Mamaroneck facility on Tuesday, police said.

Richard Cass, an electrician for the state agency, was arrested Wednesday and charged with fourth-degree arson, a felony, state police said.

The 54-year-old resident of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, allegedly "recklessly started a fire" after hours at the facility's salt shed at 629 Fifth Ave., police said. The fire destroyed the shed and damaged a front end loader and other pieces of equipment in an adjacent building, Thruway Authority Deputy Communications Director Shane Mahar said.

Emergency personnel descended on the complex around 5:05 p.m. Tuesday as black plumes of smoke rose from the property. Joe Obregon, a Larchmont resident, said he was driving home on Interstate 95 when he got off at the New Rochelle exit to get gas when he saw explosions from the compound and flames torching bushes outside the property.

"It was really intense," he said.

The three-alarm blaze obliterated much, if not all, of the Thruway Authority's initial salt supply that was meant for the area's roads this winter, Mahar said.

"Obviously the building burned to the ground," he said.

The collapsing roof showered the salt with nails and other debris, Mahar said, though officials are hoping to salvage portions of the salt. They are still determining whether any of the salt can be used in some capacity, he said.

Thruway Authority personnel were at the scene throughout the day Wednesday, Mahar said, and are still evaluating the damage. It is not yet clear what financial impact the fire will have, he said.

The Thruway Authority will continue to assess the damage and figure out its next steps, Mahar said.

Cass was released and is scheduled to appear in Mamaroneck Town Court on Aug. 31, police said. He could not immediately be reached by phone at his Massachusetts home.

About 100 firefighters from various departments, including the town and village of Mamaroneck, Larchmont, New Rochelle and Scarsdale, responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.

In addition to local fire departments, the state police were assisted at the scene by the Thruway Authority, the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department, the Westchester County Cause and Origin Team, and the Westchester County police K-9 Daisy.

Twitter: @MattSpillane