12 years after Binghamton house fire killed Jeffrey Aissa, 17, Pa man charged with murder

Neal Simon, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
·2 min read
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A New Milford, Pennsylvania, man has been charged with murder and arson 12 years after a house fire on Binghamton's East Side killed 17-year-old Jeffrey Aissa.

The fatal fire that began early in the morning March 17, 2011, and destroyed the Aissa family's home at 20 Milford St. had previously been labeled an act of arson by authorities, but the criminal case remained unsolved with few public developments before Tuesday's arrest.

On Tuesday, 38-year-old Jeremiah J. Raub was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree arson, according to the City of Binghamton Police Department.

“This arrest comes after years of work by the Binghamton Police Department, and especially the Detective Division, to solve this case and help bring closure to the family,” Binghamton Police Chief Joseph T. Zikuski said. “We would like to thank the community for information provided to us on this case over the years."

Zikuski said the case "remains an active investigation," and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.

Raub was arraigned in Binghamton City Court and remanded to the Broome County jail.

More:Arson victim Jeffrey Aissa remembered 5 years later

The blaze started on the front porch of the Milford Street residence at about 3:30 a.m. and neighbors, who were awakened by the crackling flames and heat, rushed to wake the family.

Witnesses said they saw fire on the front porch before flames engulfed the rest of the house, according to Press & Sun-Bulletin archives. The structure's aging asphalt shingles contributed to the speed of the fire, firefighters said.

Jeffrey Aissa died after he became separated from the rest of the family, including four of his siblings, as they all attempted to escape.

Law enforcement officials have long considered the blaze to have been set intentionally. Fire investigators ruled out natural causes, such as an electrical malfunction.

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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Jeffrey Aissa case: Pa man charged with murder in 2011 Binghamton fire