N.Y. woman charged with allegedly setting apartment building on fire, causing major damage

SPRINGVILLE, N.Y. (TCD) — A Buffalo-area woman was indicted on an arson charge about a month after she allegedly “intentionally” set fire to her apartment complex, which caused large-scale damage.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement Wednesday, Feb. 22, that 36-year-old Sara Lilley was arraigned on one count of second-degree arson.

According to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, on Jan. 23, deputies responded to 109 N. Buffalo St. about a fire. Several fire companies responded to the scene to put out the blaze. The Sheriff’s Office said some structural parts of the building and “many units suffered extensive damage; some were destroyed.”

Detectives arrested Lilley on Jan. 24 on suspicion of arson.

District Attorney John Flynn said in the statement no one was injured in the fire, but “several residents were displaced.”

Lilley faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Lilley has a criminal case in Springville Village Court regarding a third-degree burglary offense. On Oct. 20, 2022, she allegedly “knowingly entered and remained unlawfully inside of a store” in Springville “with the intent to commit a crime.”

She is accused of stealing $38.04 in merchandise. Lilley was reportedly banned from the store due to a “previous shoplifting incident” that occurred in February 2022.

Lilley is being held without bail because she is “accused of committing a felony while released on a pending felony charge.”