[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Ellenville – A Nassau County man was arrested Monday and charged with starting the fire that burned down the old Tamarack property in Greenfield Park.

Lance Muckenhaupt, 56, of 119 Windsor Gate Drive in New Hyde Park was charged with two felony counts of arson as well as other charges in connection with the fire that destroyed or damaged over 30 buildings and over 50 acres of woodland.

The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office said Muckenhaupt was allegedly burning brush on the property on Saturday without a permit and while there was a ban on any open burning until May 15. He was unable to keep the fire contained and the fire spread across the Tamarack property as well as buildings on adjacent land.

He was charged with two counts of fourth-degree arson and four misdemeanor charges under state environmental conservation law, including setting a fire without clearing the area, burning without a permit, setting a fire than endangers property, and opening burning during a statewide burning ban.

Muckenhaupt, who was taken into custody in White Plains, was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. Police said additional charges are anticipated.

Assisting Ulster County Sheriff’s detectives were the Ulster County Arson Task Force, State DEC Police and State Police.

Click HERE to watch this video from a mobile device.

(Source: MidHudsonNews)