Broadalbin businesses speak out after arson, man arrested

BROADALBIN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -State police have arrested a man in connection with a string of fires in Broadalbin. 39-year-old Leon Nadeau has been charged with three counts of arson. Officials say Nadeau was seen in the area of the fires on Thursday where he was eventually detained.

It is reported that Nadeau allegedly started all three of those fires intentionally and there are still others in the area under investigation. NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski spoke with the Broadalbin community; some even witnessing the acts.

Back on Track Cafe is used to quiet days in Broadalbin of serving regulars food cooked fresh off the stove. Employees say when they became aware of a fire on a Rail Road Street warehouse, it was up to them to put out the flames.

"Oh my God, we were terrified. This has never, that I know of, happened and I've lived here for 22 years," described Felicia Dicaprio. "We got the fire extinguisher and we were thankfully able to put the fire out before the fire department even got here. It was still smoking," added Jaiden Farrington.

Arson and other acts of criminal mischief have become a common sight this week. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office is asking residents to stay vigilant, especially around places of worship as local churches have doors scorched and a window smashed. The Adirondack Country Market also barely avoided catastrophe; a stack of tires being lit aflame.

"If the telephone pole went up, that's where my power comes in directly and I guess I wouldn't have a store anymore," explained the owner, John Schiavo.

Schiavo says no one should be a target of arson but it becomes that much more serious when multiple community members could suffer the consequences. "Not only my building but I believe I'm Broadalbin's biggest employer, so you'd have several jobs affected by it."

And with a multitude of targets being churches, some believe a higher power will make things right. "I just hope that whoever's doing this is brought to justice. I believe that He'll take care of that and we won't have to worry," said Mark Faboskay.