The Binghamton Police Department says a man has been charged with intentionally setting a fire on Henry Street. Police say the fire at 106 Henry Street, the “DIXIE 2000” rooming house, was reported at 6:16 a.m. Monday. According to detectives, an investigation found that the first-floor office was broken into before being doused with a liquid accelerant and ignited, which caused an explosion and significant damage. Officials say the fire was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system and all residents got out safely. Police say the suspect, who had left before officers arrived, was later identified as 59-year-old Jerry Hopkins of neighboring 104 Henry Street.

He was charged with second-degree arson, a class B felony. The incident was investigated by the Binghamton Police Patrol and Detective Divisions as well as the Fire Marshal’s Office. State Fire K-9 also assisted at the scene. Anyone with additional information is asked to call detectives at (607) 772-7080.

ORIGINAL STORY:

BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — Police and fire officials were called to a fire on Henry Street in Binghamton Monday morning.

According to Binghamton Fire Marshal Alan Gardiner, the sprinkler system inside 106 Henry Street put out the fire.

Gardiner said investigators haven’t determined a cause for the fire, but he called it suspicious.

Members of the Binghamton Fire Department, Binghamton Police Department and New York State fire officials responded to the scene.