What Happened
Michael Gudz, 45, was arrested Sunday after allegedly setting fire to a 2014 Corvette near Mark Street in Port Jefferson Station, with the blaze spreading to a neighboring home before anyone was hurt, Suffolk County Police said.
According to Patch, the incident occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Police described the fire as domestic in nature. News 12 reported that the flames spread from the Corvette to a nearby residence, though no injuries resulted from either the vehicle fire or the extension of the blaze to the structure.
Gudz was charged with third- and fourth-degree arson, reckless endangerment, and criminal contempt, according to Suffolk County Police as reported by Patch. The criminal contempt charge, combined with police characterizing the incident as domestic in nature, suggests the alleged arson may be connected to a pre-existing court order stemming from a domestic matter. He was expected to be arraigned on Monday, August 3, 2026.
Location & Road Context
Mark Street is a residential side street in Port Jefferson Station, a hamlet within the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County. The area sits just south of the Port Jefferson Ferry terminal corridor and is served by a mix of residential neighborhoods and small commercial strips. Port Jefferson Station has seen a recent string of serious incidents — including a shooting on July 26, 2026 and a motorcycle crash on Route 112 the prior year — underscoring ongoing public safety concerns in the hamlet.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Gudz was charged with third-degree arson, fourth-degree arson, reckless endangerment, and criminal contempt following the Sunday afternoon incident, per Suffolk County Police. Third-degree arson in New York involves intentionally damaging a building by fire or explosion, while fourth-degree arson involves property damage by fire — the dual charges here likely reflect both the vehicle and the adjacent home that caught fire. The criminal contempt charge points to an alleged violation of an existing court order, consistent with police noting the incident was domestic in nature. Gudz was expected to appear before a judge for arraignment on Monday, August 3, 2026.
Broader Impact
Under New York Penal Law, third-degree arson is a Class C felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in state prison. The spread of flames from the vehicle to a nearby residence elevated the criminal exposure significantly compared to a standalone vehicle fire, and the reckless endangerment charge reflects the risk posed to any occupants of that home. Anyone with information about this incident can contact Suffolk County Police.