Man Caught After Allegedly Torching His House & Creating Standoff

Bethany did a story about a man from Knox who was accused of creating a very dangerous situation at his home on Wednesday night.

First responders went to the burning house onSaddlemire Road, but when they got there, they couldn’t get to the house. The man had allegedly cut down a number of trees to block firefighters, or police, from getting to the house.

In the story from News 10 ABC, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple told reporters that the man called 9-1-1 and said that he was heavily armed. He allegedly was threatening the firefighters and saying that he would shoot them if they tried to put the fire out.

In the story from the Times Union, in addition to not allowing the first responders to do their jobs, the man didn’t want anyone on his property. New York State Troopers and Albany County Sheriffs surrounded the property, not knowing if the man was still in the house. After it was determined by police that there was no one in the home, firefighters were allowed in to put out the fire.

In an updated story from News 10 ABC, the 49-year-old man has been identified. He's Kenneth Fortuin. At about 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning, he turned himself in to the authorities. It was noted that while officials were trying to negotiate with him, he was heavily armed.

He has been charged with Obstructing Firefighting Operations, Third Degree Arson and possibly more. He is in the Albany County Jail.

There's still an ongoing investigation.