New Hyde Park man accused in arson was depressed, wife says

A New Hyde Park man arrested on charges of setting a bed on fire has been depressed and sick, his wife said Thursday.

"He's diabetic. His sugar has been high and his blood pressure low," said Carolyn Sorrentino, 67, as a crew worked in the remains of her house. "He's been feeling sick lately and a little depressed."

Joseph Sorrentino, 73, used matches to ignite a bed in a second-story room in his home on Lawrence Street, the Nassau County's arson/bomb squad said.

Sorrentino had been arguing with his stepson before setting the fire, police said in a report. The house was fully engulfed when the Garden City Park Fire Department arrived at 12:01 p.m., police said. About 50 firefighters needed a half-hour to bring the fire under control, police said.

There were no injuries. However, the house was extensively damaged. Carolyn Sorrentino said she was at the beach with her daughter at the time of the fire.

Sorrentino was arrested and charged with arson. He was taken to North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park after he complained of chest pains.

"They took him away," his wife said. "He's a sick man." She said she is staying with family.

Sorrentino's arraignment is pending, police said.