P-J file photo by Eric Tichy

FALCONER — A Falconer man has been accused of starting a fire that destroyed a village home and displaced a family over the weekend.

Cody Dustin, 24, was issued an appearance ticket Wednesday on a charge of third-degree arson, a class C felony.

The fire Sunday at 217 E. Pearl St., Falconer, was reported around 2:45 a.m. Upon arrival, fire officials reported heavy fire coming from the second floor of the two story, single family home, with volunteers from Gerry, Kennedy and Kiantone assisting at the scene.

No one was home when the fire broke out, though an adult and child were displaced after the property was considered a total loss.

A review by the Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team found that a fire had been started in multiple locations. The team ruled the blaze incendiary, and turned over information to the Ellicott Police Department earlier this week.

Dan Leighton, an investigator with Ellicott police, said Dustin was interviewed shortly after the fire and again following the investigation.

“We believe the motivation was due to a possible domestic issue,” Leighton told The Post-Journal. “The Fire Investigation Team advised us there were multiple points of origin and that the cause was incendiary.”

Police did not state specifically how the fire started or what was used. Dustin is scheduled to appear in Ellicott Town Court later this month to answer the charge.

Volunteers with the Falconer Volunteer Fire Department were praised for their efforts in battling the early morning fire by members of the Falconer Village Board at their meeting Monday.

“I cannot say enough about volunteer firefighters,” Mayor Jim Jaroszynski said. “I mean this was late Saturday night, early Sunday morning and to have 36 members of our department get up and get out of their beds to battle a structure fire is simply outstanding as far as I’m concerned.”

Added Bryce Webster, Falconer fire chief: “The crews did excellent. We had a good crew on.”