Eric A. Courtier
A Mayville man is facing arson and assault charges in connection with a fire over the weekend.
At about 7:36 a.m. Sunday, members of the Jamestown Police Department responded with the Jamestown Fire Department and Alstar Ambulance to a condemned residence at 234 Fulton St. for a reported structure fire. Police located one victim at a nearby location, who sustained serious physical injuries from the fire and from when they had to jump out of a second story window due to there being no other way out of the burning residence.
The victim was transported to UPMC Chautauqua Emergency Room for treatment and subsequently transported to another hospital outside of the area for treatment of the burns and injuries sustained. After the fire was extinguished, fire investigators determined it was arson.
Patrol officers began to investigate with assistance from the Detective Bureau. A suspect was developed and interviewed by members of the Detective Bureau. It was determined that Eric A. Courtier, 34, intentionally set the residence on fire, knowing that the victim was inside.
Courtier was placed under arrest on Wednesday in Mayville and then transported to the Jamestown City Jail where he was processed and charged with first-degree arson and first-degree assault. He was arraigned on Thursday before Jamestown City Court Judge George Panebianco, and remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail.