Suspect in custody after fire at Leonard Park Tea House

The Tea House at Leonard Park was the scene of a fire that was deliberately set, according to authorities. While the structure’s decking was damaged, emergency responders put out the fire before it could reach the building. MARTIN WILBUR PHOTO

By MARTIN WILBUR

Quick response from emergency responders, village personnel and a citizen helped save Mount Kisco’s Tea House at Leonard Park from major damage after a fire broke out at the iconic structure Thursday, April 17. 

A 22-year-old Mount Kisco man, Erik Hernandez Regalado of Lexington Avenue, was charged with third-degree arson and second-degree criminal mischief, both felonies, according to Westchester County Police.

Village officials commended emergency responders, Deputy Village Manager Kenneth Famulare, who happened to be in Leonard Park when the fire started, and a witness who immediately called 911, helped avert a major disaster.

“All the stars were aligned,” said Deputy Mayor Theresa Flora. “It happened very quickly and I happened to just be in the neighborhood and got a call about it and just watched how professional everyone is and they kept it contained.”

Police and the Mount Kisco Volunteer Fire Department, assisted by the Bedford Hills Fire Department, were notified of the blaze outside the historic structure at 5:11 p.m., according to Westchester County Police. The fire department quickly extinguished the flames before it could reach the building. However, the decking outside the building was “significantly damaged,” said county police spokesman Kieran O’Leary.

A witness reported seeing a man with a battery-powered scooter fleeing the area. Officers immediately canvassed the park and surrounding areas. Within minutes, an officer saw a man pushing a scooter and walking through a parking lot at 34 South Bedford Road. The officer detained the man for investigation and took Regalado into custody after a witness identified him as the person that was spotted leaving the scene. 

After further investigation by patrol officers and a detective from the county’s General Investigations Unit, Regalado was charged with the two felonies. He was arraigned before Village Justice Mark Farrell and taken to Westchester County Jail in Valhalla. He was due to appear in Mount Kisco Justice Court on Thursday evening.

Investigators from the county police forensic investigation processed the crime scene and the county Cause and Origin Team responded to assist the fire investigation.

O’Leary said this week that police do not have a motive as to why Regalado allegedly set the fire.

The Tea House and other areas of Leonard Park have at times been used by the area’s homeless population as shelter or by others as a place to hang out. However, police said they had no information whether that issue may have been a contributing factor.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s a challenge for everybody involved,” Mayor J. Michael Cindrich said of the issues that have faced the park. “We do have an issue here in Mount Kisco and we’re going to have to address it.”

The village, which had been planning to refurbish portions of the Tea House, will soon announce the scope of work. Village Manager Edward Brancati said he was scheduled to meet with the Leonard Park Committee and review the recommendation. The structure has been used as a place to host events by the village, organizations and the public.

Making improvements to the deck was one of the items that had been planned, he said.

“I think that’s something we can share more broadly at the next (Village Board) meeting,” Brancati said.

As a result of the fire at the Tea House, this Saturday morning’s Arbor Day celebration will be moved to the memorial pool complex starting at 10:30 a.m.