Man faces arson charge in Hempstead fire

A man who threw a firebomb at a Hempstead apartment building Tuesday faces arson and contempt charges, Nassau County police said.

Dennis Sibert, 49, who has no known address, is charged with first-degree arson and six counts of criminal contempt after he threw the incendiary device against the outside of a Union Place building at about 9:50 p.m., police said.

Sibert went to the residence of a woman, 60, and tossed the device against the building, igniting a fire, police said.

Police did not provide a motive for Sibert's actions but said the building has six separate apartments and 17 people were inside when the fire ignited.

No injuries were reported, police said.

The Hempstead Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire, police said.

Sibert was arrested at about 2 a.m. Thursday at a motor inn on Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead, police said.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead.