A group of arsonists has been implicated in a fire at the historic lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow, which had just undergone a million-dollar renovation a year prior, according to police.
Four young individuals allegedly breached a locked fence around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, broke windows, and climbed the structure that has stood for 142 years, as reported by Westchester County Police spokesperson Kieran O’Leary.
Following their entry, the suspects reportedly set fire to a section of the lighthouse that functioned as a museum, resulting in extensive damage to antique furniture and valuable books. Authorities have noted the severity of the situation.
“It’s troubling enough to vandalize and destroy a place,” O’Leary remarked. “This is one of the most iconic sites in the county.”
“It’s truly a treasured landmark,” he continued, emphasizing the community’s distress over the incident.
Local residents quickly alerted the police after seeing surveillance footage of the suspects near the bridge leading to the lighthouse.
This destructive act comes just a year after the county celebrated a $3.4 million renovation, which included the restoration of a historic spotlight that guided ships along the Hudson River for decades.
Constructed in 1883, the lighthouse is situated in Kingsland Point Park, once a home for a notable family, and it now holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
“It’s heartbreaking to witness such needless damage,” remarked Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
County workers first noticed smoke billowing from the beloved landmark on Saturday morning, prompting a swift response from firefighters.
As of now, the lighthouse is temporarily closed for repairs. O’Leary noted, “It was a venue for weddings and had recently become popular on social media. There’s a real sense of anger surrounding this vandalism.”
