GLOVERSVILLE - Two Gloversville men have been arrested in connection with this week's Gloversville explosions, police said Friday evening.
Both face top counts of first-degree arson, charges that would bring sentences of up to 25 years to life in prison upon conviction.
Police identified the two charged as Austin D. Kellogg, 27, of Gloversville, and Stephen M. Politsch, 31, of Gloversville.
Kellogg faces one count of first-degree arson, while Politsch faces two counts of first-degree arson and second-degree conspiracy, police said.
Police did not provide further information on the investigation, including any possible motives.
The explosions happened early Wednesday morning, at about 1:30 a.m., in the area of Helwig Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, police said.
Responding officers found two separate scenes and found evidence of detonation of explosives at both locations, police said.
No injuries were reported.
Authorities then conducted an extensive canvass of the area, including by members of the Gloversville Police Department and New York State Police.
The ATF, New York State Police Bomb Disposal Unit and FBI processed the scenes and collected evidence, police said
Since then, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Johnstown Police Department, Fulton County District Attorney's Office and Office of Emergency Management aided the Gloversville Police Department, police said.
The investigation then led to the arrests of Kellogg and Politsch. Kellogg was arrested Thursday, Politsch Friday, police said.
The charges are among the most serious. First-degree arson is a Class A-I felony. Its elements require for conviction that someone damages a building by causing an explosion or fire when "such explosion or fire is caused by an incendiary device propelled, thrown or placed inside or near such building ... or when such explosion or fire is caused by an explosive" and when "another person who is not a participant in the crime is present in such building" and "the defendant knows that fact or the circumstances are such as to render the presence of such person therein a reasonable possibility," state law reads.
First-degree arson shares the same class of crime and same potential sentence upon conviction as second-degree murder.
Kellogg was ordered held without bail. Politsch was awaiting arraignment Friday evening.
"The investigation into this incident is very active, and ongoing," police wrote in a release.Â
Images: Gloversville explosion investigation (7 photos)
ATF investigators are present outside 36 Helwig Street in Gloversville Wednesday, April 17, 2024 after a reported explosion early in the morning that shook the multi-family residence and could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
Glass, wooden shards are swept together near a hole in the front porch of 36 Helwig Street in Gloversville Wednesday, April 17, 2024 after a reported explosion early in the morning that shook the multi-family residence and could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
The damaged front porch railing, removed to the side of 36 Helwig Street in Gloversville Wednesday, April 17, 2024 after a reported explosion early in the morning that shook the multi-family residence and could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
ATF investigators are present outside 36 Helwig Street in Gloversville Wednesday, April 17, 2024 after a reported explosion early in the morning that shook the multi-family residence and could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
ATF investigators are present outside 36 Helwig Street in Gloversville Wednesday, April 17, 2024 after a reported explosion early in the morning that shook the multi-family residence and could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
The damaged front porch floor and railing at 36 Helwig St. in Gloversville Wednesday, April 17, 2024 after a reported explosion early in the morning that shook the multi-family residence and could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
The damaged front porch floor and railing at 36 Helwig Street in Gloversville Wednesday, April 17, 2024 after a reported explosion early in the morning that shook the multi-family residence and could be heard throughout the neighborhood.