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Homeless man charged with arson in small fire on State Street

By Howard B. Owens

A homeless man who was given permission to sleep on the back porch of a residence on State Street has been arrested and charged with arson in the fourth degree after a fire he started caused some damage to the house.

The fire was reported shortly after 8:30 p.m. Thursday and quickly extinguished by city firefighters, causing minimal damage to the porch and siding of the house at 107 State St., Batavia.

Reginald J. Hawker, 57, of no permanent address, was arrested Friday afternoon following an investigation by Det. Patrick Corona.

He was jailed without bail.

Hawker is accused of intentionally setting the fire. Corona said it's believed that Hawker started the fire on the porch in an attempt to cook and to have heat and light.

Previously: Fire at home on State Street possibly set by homeless person trying to keep warm

Mary E DelPlato

for shame! punishing a homeless man! Wheres the Christmas spirit? Not here I see. I dont know the reasons why Mr. Hawker is homeless and I also dont see the reasons why he cant get help like most especially those that choose to sit on their butts and spit out babies so they can get a free ride. Mr. Hawker since my tax payer dollars are going to go to taking care of you when you are free I invite you to my house for dinner and warmth.

Dec 17, 2011, 8:27am Permalink
Sally Waldron

perhaps if Batavia had a shelter for the homeless we wouldn't have to have them sleeping on porches and starting fires in the first place.

Dec 17, 2011, 9:41am Permalink
Mary E DelPlato

agree Sally! perhaps if that big white house opened its doors and really took care of poor ppl! They eat filet mignon and we eat ground up scraps that fall on the floor...yet they get paid by us!

Dec 17, 2011, 10:26am Permalink
Irene Will

I don't think it WAS arson. "The accused must intend to burn a building or other structure. Absent a statutory description of the conduct required for arson, the conduct must be malicious, and not accidental. " is what I found online. The ARTICLE said " Corona said it's believed that Hawker started the fire on the porch in an attempt to cook and to have heat and light." I'm pretty convinced that the guy didn't INTEND for the HOUSE to start on fire - so how is it arson ????

Dec 17, 2011, 11:21am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Here's the statute, arson in the 4th degree: "A person is guilty of arson in the fourth degree when he recklessly damages a building or motor vehicle by intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion."

Dec 17, 2011, 11:30am Permalink

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