Court records: Man accused of breaking into parents' home before deadly fire
Police say five officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation after attempting to rescue the animals from the burning home.
More Stories
A Brooklyn man is accused of breaking into his parents' Central Islip home, setting it on fire and killing two dogs that were trapped inside, according to Suffolk County police and court documents.
Police say officers responded to a 911 call reporting a fire at 23 East Cherry St. in Central Islip on Saturday at approximately 12:20 a.m.
When officers arrived, they tried to enter the home to rescue two dogs that were inside. Police say those efforts were unsuccessful.
The Central Islip Fire Department, along with several neighboring fire departments, responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze. Once the fire was brought under control, firefighters located the two dogs, which had died inside the home.
According to court documents, 39-year-old Robert Alston, of Brooklyn, broke into his parents' home on East Cherry Street before setting the fire. Authorities say no one else was inside the house at the time.
"It's messed up and awful at the same time. Your own son would try to rob you and burn down the place. It's not really acceptable," said neighbor Denilson Acosta.
Five officers were taken to the hospital after suffering smoke inhalation while responding to the fire, police said.
Following an investigation by Suffolk County Arson Squad detectives, Alston was charged with arson, burglary and false personation, also described by authorities as giving police a false name.
Alston was arraigned Saturday at First District Court in Central Islip, where he pleaded not guilty.
