A Cayuga County woman has been charged with arson following an April house fire that destroyed her home and damaged nearby structures.
The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48-year-old Marea L. Slate of Brutus on May 20. Investigators allege that Slate intentionally started the fire inside her own residence on April 18. The blaze led to a total loss of the home and caused damage to surrounding properties.
Slate turned herself in at the Public Safety Building and was processed on a charge of fourth-degree arson, a class E felony. She was released with an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Brutus Town Court on May 27 at 7 p.m.
The Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the New York State Fire Investigators and K9 unit, multiple area fire departments, county emergency services, and the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office at 315-253-1222 or leave a tip online at the county website.



