State Police say a North Bangor arson arrest followed alleged threats and a fire inside a Route 11B home, where investigators say a Christmas tree was intentionally ignited. A 20-year-old North Bangor man now faces arson and related charges after troopers responded to the Bangor residence on Sept. 21.

According to a New York State Police press release issued Sept. 22, troopers were called to State Route 11B in the town of Bangor at about 2:15 p.m. for a reported arson complaint. Police identified the accused as Marshall M. Cyrus, 20, of North Bangor.

Police say threatening messages came before the fire

State Police said their investigation found that Cyrus had allegedly sent threatening messages to the victim stating that he would burn down the residence. The victim then contacted law enforcement.

When troopers arrived, they said they found Cyrus attempting to leave in a vehicle. Troopers removed him from the vehicle and detained him, according to the release.

“Troopers observed smoke and a burnt plastic odor inside the residence,” State Police said.

Police said troopers could not immediately determine where the smoke was coming from, so the fire department responded to assist. Investigators later alleged that Cyrus had a Bernzomatic propane torch and used it to ignite a Christmas tree in the living room.

Charges filed after investigation

State Police said Cyrus was taken to the State Police barracks in Malone for processing. He was charged with:

• Arson in the third degree
• Criminal mischief
• Aggravated harassment in the second degree

The police release did not specify the degree of the criminal mischief charge. It also did not provide an estimated amount of property damage, identify the victim, or report whether anyone was injured.

Cyrus was arraigned in Town of Malone Court and released on his own recognizance, according to State Police. The release did not list a future court date.

How the incident unfolded, according to State Police

The sequence described by State Police began with the victim reporting alleged threats to burn the residence. Troopers arrived and detained Cyrus as he was allegedly trying to leave in a vehicle. Officers then noticed signs of a possible fire inside the home, including smoke and the smell of burned plastic. A fire department was called to assist, and investigators later identified the Christmas tree as the item that had been ignited, according to the release.

The agency did not identify which fire department responded or say how quickly the fire was extinguished. It also did not report that the incident caused injuries. Those details were not included in the Sept. 22 release.

What third-degree arson means under New York law

Under New York Penal Law Section 150.10, a person may be charged with third-degree arson when prosecutors allege that the person intentionally damaged a building or motor vehicle by starting a fire or causing an explosion. The statute classifies third-degree arson as a Class C felony.

That legal definition describes the charge only. It does not establish that the accused committed the offense. Prosecutors would still have to prove the elements of the charge in court.

New York law also defines aggravated harassment in the second degree to include certain threatening communications made with the intent to harass and under circumstances that cause a person to reasonably fear harm. The offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. The State Police release did not identify the specific subdivision of the aggravated-harassment statute cited in this case.

What remains unclear

The State Police account leaves several details unanswered. The release does not say how long the victim and Cyrus had known each other, what may have led to the alleged threats, how much damage occurred inside the residence, or whether the home remained habitable after the fire.

Authorities also did not say whether the fire spread beyond the Christmas tree or whether additional evidence was collected from the residence. No defense statement was included in the release.

Those missing details matter because an arrest report represents the beginning of a criminal case, not its conclusion. Additional information could emerge through court filings, future police updates, or statements from attorneys involved in the case.

North Bangor case handled by Troop B

The incident occurred in the town of Bangor in Franklin County, along State Route 11B. New York State Police Troop B is handling the case, and the agency listed Trooper Brandi M. Ashley as the public information officer for the release.

State transportation records place State Route 11B through the town of Bangor in Franklin County, part of New York’s North Country. The case is outside the immediate Mohawk Valley, but it is part of the Utica Phoenix’s broader coverage of significant public-safety developments across New York.

Charges are allegations

Cyrus has been accused of the offenses described by State Police. He has not been convicted of the charges reported in the release. As in all criminal cases, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Utica Phoenix will update this report if State Police, prosecutors, the court, or defense counsel release additional information about the case.

Sources: New York State Police; New York State Senate Open Legislation; New York State Department of Transportation.