SP: Historic NY Building Torched By Owner

LIVINGSTON, N.Y. (AP) — State police have charged a restaurant owner with setting the fire that destroyed the historic upstate New York building where his business was located.

Troopers say 40-year-old Darrin Buffa of Craryville was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson for setting the March 15 fire at the Blue Store Hotel in the Columbia County town of Livingston, 35 miles south of Albany.

Police say the fire was reported around 1:45 a.m., shortly after Buffa's Blue Store Restaurant had closed. Sixteen local fire departments battled the blaze for about five hours, but couldn't save the 210-year-old structure.

Buffalo had operated the restaurant since 2010.

Buffa's attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. He was released from custody after posting bail.