N.Y family dispute ends with fiery death

ALDEN, N.Y., June 4 (UPI) -- A 49-year-old man died in Alden, N.Y., after apparently setting two homes on fire in a property dispute with his sister, police said.

Police in Erie County, N.Y., said it appeared Andrew Sindrewicz set fire to his home and his sister's neighboring home Wednesday, then remained in one of the basements, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News reported Thursday.

Sindrewicz's sister, Helena Ward, said the apparent arson-suicide occurred after she had her brother were served with court papers indicating her decision to have their neighboring properties partitioned.

"We knew we were going to have some problems," said Ward, who jointly inherited the real estate with her brother after their mother's death several years ago. "We didn't know it would come to this."

Authorities suspect Sindrewicz likely died of carbon monoxide poisoning or asphyxiation during the fire.

Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard told the News that Sindrewicz had been at the subject of up to eight police calls regarding property and family disputes during the last two years.