New York Man Gets State Prison Term for Arson

A Central Islip, New York man has been sentenced to five to 15 years in prison for setting fire to a multifamily home on Plum Street in Central Islip last year.

Rudis Bonilla admitted setting fire to his mattress in his first floor bedroom on the afternoon of Feb. 27, 2007 because he was angry at his older sister for threatening to evict him because of dispute over the payment of rent.

Bonilla admitted to detectives he stood across the street and watched seven residents climb out windows to escape the flames as they engulfed the home at 69 Plum Street. No serious injuries were reported.

Suffolk arson squad detectives retrieved the pink BIC lighter Bonilla said he used to burn his mattress.

The defendant is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador and will be subject to an ICE deportation hearing when he is released from prison.