Employee Admits Setting Fire at Vestal Home Central Store

A Vestal man has pleaded guilty to arson in connection with a blaze that tore through a warehouse of the store where he worked.

50-year-old Richard Millard Monday admitted to intentionally starting the fire that damaged the Home Central store on Stage Road.

The store has been closed since the February 13 blaze. A large wood storage facility on the east side of the complex was destroyed. Although the retail area didn't sustain fire damage, the store's computer and electrical systems were damaged.

Millard, who was an employee of the business, is scheduled to be sentenced November 10.

A Home Central spokeswoman said the business is proceeding with plans to reopen the Vestal site. Plans call for a larger warehouse and retail area.

The project still must be approved by the town. The spokeswoman said construction of the new facility could start by the end of the year.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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