John Jefferson
Inset: Karamjit Singh (Nassau County Police Department). Background: Red Maple Dr. North in Levittown, New York (Google Maps).
A New York man is facing arson and child endangerment charges after allegedly handing a firework on July 4 to an 11-year-old with instructions to light it up, ultimately setting multiple houses on fire.
Karamjit Singh, 33, of Levittown, is accused of giving the child fireworks shortly before 9 a.m. on Thursday, the Nassau County Police Department said in a press release. He allegedly “instructed the child to ignite” the firework — although he likely didn’t expect what happened next.
“The firework malfunctioned and caused a detached shed, within the yard, to ignite which became engulfed in flames,” the police department said. “The fire spread to the defendants dwelling and a neighboring home.”
Firefighters were called to quell the blaze.
A tenant who was renting space on the second floor of Singh’s home as been displaced as a result of the fire damage, Nassau police said.
“Both homes suffered extensive damage, but there were no injuries reported,” the statement noted. Singh was arrested and the 11-year-old was released to a family member, according to police.
Singh is charged with arson, reckless endangerment, unlawfully selling fireworks to a person under 18, unlawful possession of fireworks, and child endangerment.
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office records do not indicate that Singh is in custody. His arraignment was scheduled for Friday.
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