Arrest made in Wappinger fire investigation

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of Robert J. Buda, age 34, in connection with a residential structure fire which occurred in the Town of Wappinger at approximately 6:30 pm on 1/26/25.

On the above date and time Deputies responded to 78 Marlorville Rd for a report of a structure fire. Once the fire was extinguished two victims were located inside, and both were deceased. After further investigation Mr. Buda was taken into custody and is accused of intentionally setting fire to the residence. There is no danger to the public-at-large.  

At this time Mr. Buda has been charged with Arson in the 2^nd degree (felony), and after being processed he was arraigned before the Town of Wappinger Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center in lieu of $500,000 cash bail or $1,000,000 bond.

Anyone who may have information on this case or may have been in the Marlorville Rd area during the evening of 1/26/25 is urged to contact Detective Griffin at 845-486-3809 or jgriffin@dutchessny.gov. Information can also be provided through the Sheriff’s Office’s tipline at 845-486-CLUE (2583) or dcsotips@gmail.com, and all information will be kept confidential. 

The investigation is continuing by the Sheriff’s Office’s Detective Bureau and more information, including the identity of the victims, will be released at a later time. The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division, the Dutchess County Medical Examiner, and the Hughsonville Fire Department.

As with any criminal case the charge described above is merely an accusation and Mr. Buda is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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