WATERTOWN - A man arrested in New York City will be returned to upstate New York to face charges in a fire that destroyed an apartment building and left 22 families homeless.

Carlos Rivera, 30, of the Bronx, was arrested by New York City police on an unrelated charge, Watertown Police Lt. Frank Derrigo said in a release.

Rivera was accused by Watertown police of starting a fire Dec. 8. City firefighters spent nearly four hours extinguishing the blaze, which led National Grid to shut off power to much of the city's southeast side. Although no one was injured, the building was destroyed.

Police Chief Joseph Goss said Watertown police would charge Rivera with second-degree arson once he is brought back to Jefferson County, which could occur as early as Wednesday.

Goss said Watertown police knew “within a short period of time” that the fire had been intentionally set by Rivera and he had fled to New York City.

What the suspect was doing in Watertown was unclear, Goss said.