A Coram man faces arson charges after authorities said he intentionally set ablaze a home in his community. In a late-night fire that broke out on November 13, residents of a Coram residence were lucky to escape unscathed, after the homeowner detected smoke billowing from the garage before fleeing with his family. The consequential conflagration demanded the swift intervention of emergency responders, who managed to douse the flames despite the severe damage inflicted upon the property, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Investigative efforts led by the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad and supported by domestic surveillance footage seemingly captured the accused, Altariq Nixon, aged 43, perpetrating the act. The video purportedly displays Nixon lingering at the side of the residence, struggling with the incendiary act for a span, and ultimately sparking a fire from a pile of leaves and debris located near the structure. Shortly after the incident, a local police officer spotted Nixon near the scene, who was allegedly in possession of paraphernalia consistent with crack cocaine use and, consequently, he was taken into custody.
In relation to the incident, District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney communicated his relief that the household residents emerged unharmed, emphasizing the peril of the situation that could have disastrously escalated, "This fire in the middle of the night was a potentially deadly situation that could have led to a tragic outcome for the residents of this house," as he stated, as per the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. The swift and decisive action of first responders was commended for their containment of the fire and the apprehension of the suspect.
Charges leveled against Nixon, who appeared before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro on November 25, include one count each of Arson in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony, and Arson in the Third Degree, a Class C felony; in addition, he faces one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, which is a Class A misdemeanor. Ambro set Nixon's bail at $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. If convicted on the top count, Nixon could receive a sentence up to 25 years in prison, and he is currently being represented by attorney Roger Rothman, Esq. His next court date is January 6, 2026, where the proceedings of his case, prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Cappiello of the Major Crime Bureau, will continue.
