Pasquale Preziosa gets probation for 2020 Atlantic Beach fire

Pasquale Preziosa, who set his Erie Avenue house in Atlantic Beach ablaze in 2020, was sentenced to five years probation on Jan. 24. He also pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and torturing an animal.

Preziosa, 56, was charged with arson and other crimes for the house fire.

Originally, Nassau County police responded to what they called a disturbance at the home at 10:20 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2020, Preziosa had sent threatening text messages to family members saying that he intended to hurt himself, according to police.

When police responded, Preziosa refused to leave the house. Police said he “made several threats, including harming officers," and tried to force the police to shoot him.  The Nassau County Emergency Service Unit, Bureau of Special Operations and Hostage Negotiation Team were then called to the scene.

At 1:20 a.m., police spotted flames shooting from the home’s second floor, and fire spread across that portion of the house. Preziosa refused to leave again, and ESU and firefighters entered the house and found the semi-conscious Preziosa in the basement of the rented house.

Outside the house, he was treated and arrested, and then taken to a local hospital for assessment and treatment for smoke inhalation. The fire was brought under control within two hours, according to Long Beach fire officials. The Nassau County fire marshal and the police Arson/Bomb Squad also responded.