Cortland teens accused of starting fire inside Buckbee Mears building

CORTLAND, N.Y. - Three teenagers are being accused of burglary and arson after they started a fire in a vacant building, the City of Cortland Police Department said Wednesday.

At around 5 a.m. Monday, the Cortland Fire Department was called to the former Buckbee Mears building on Kellogg Road after a neighbor saw flames coming from the building, according to Lt. Richard Troyer with the City of Cortland Police Department.

Police say the teens got inside the building and set several cardboard boxes on fire.

Firefighters extinguished the flames before the fire could cause damage to the building.

The individuals charged were a 17-year-old male, a 17-year-old female, and a 16-year-old male, according to police.

The teens face charges of third-degree burglary, a felony, and fifth-degree arson, a misdemeanor.

They were arraigned before Judge Elizabeth Burns in Cortland City Court Monday morning and released. They are scheduled to return to city court Nov. 5.