Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 29- year-old Brandon Adler of Amherst pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to Arson in the Fourth Degree.

On July 30, 2017, at about 7:30 a.m., the defendant started a couch in his apartment on fire, which spread throughout the building located at 486 Franklin Street.  Five people who were inside the apartment building at the time of the fire escaped unharmed, but two others had to be rescued by the Buffalo Fire Department from a second-floor window.

The fire severely damaged the second floor and roof of the apartment building. The entire building sustained water damage. Due to the amount of damage, all residents of the building were displaced.

Adler faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, May 21 at 9:30 a.m.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Fire Marshals led by Lt. James Otwell.

Paul Glascott, Chief of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau, prosecuted the case.