LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A former Lima resident has shed some light on the circumstances that may have led to the to the destruction of his house in a house fire in May of this year.
Richard Willson, 56, is charged with Arson in the Third Degree after he was found at the scene of an intense structure fire. Willson shocked Livingston County residents when he came away from the fire with third-degree burns on his legs.
“I was extremely depressed,” said Willson, who appeared in court in a wheelchair. “I decided that I didn’t want to live anymore, so I tried to burn the house down with me in it.”
Willson spent a month at Strong Memorial hospital, where he was treated for his burns, and has been in the Livingston County Jail for six months while a deal is negotiated.
PHOTO CAPTION: Image courtesy of Mobile Patrol.
Anyone who has suicidal thoughts always has a choice. Anyone can contact their nearest suicide prevention hotline at the following numbers at any time:
Allegany County Community Services Crisis Hotline – (585) 593-5706.
Cattaraugus County Crisis Hotline – (800) 339-5209.
Cayuga County – Syracuse – (315) 251-0600 or (877) 400-8740.
Chautauqua County – Crisis Services Counseling Hotline – (800) 724-0461 or toll-free number for children and adolescents only- (877) KIDS400 (877-543-7400).
Chemung County Crisis Service – (607) 737-5369.
Chenango County – Bassett Hospital Crisis Center Service – (607) 431-5412 or (877) 369-6699 or Chenango County Community Mental Hygiene Services, (607) 337-1600.
Erie County – Crisis Services Counseling Hotline (716) 834-3131 or toll-free number for children and adolescents only: (877) KIDS400 (877-543-7400).
Genesee County – Regional Action Phone, Inc. – (585) 343-1212 or (800) 359-5727.
Livingston County – Lifeline – (585) 275-5151 or (800) 310-1160.
Madison County Mental Health Department (315) 366-2215 (800) 721-2215.
Monroe County – Lifeline – (585) 275-5151 or (800) 310-1160.
Niagara County Crisis Hotline – (716) 285-3515.
Oneida County – Mobile Crisis Assessment Team – (315) 732-6228.
Onondaga County – Syracuse – (315) 251-2979.
Ontario County – Lifeline – (585) 275-5151 / (800) 310-1160.
Oswego Hospital Behavioral Services Division 24-Hour Hotline – (315) 343-8162.
Saratoga County – Samaritans Suicide Prevention Center – (518) 689-4673.
Seneca County – Lifeline – (585) 275-5151 / (800) 310-1160.
Steuben County Community Mental Health – (607) 776-6577, after hours: (607) 937-7800.
Wayne County – Lifeline – (585) 275-5151 or (800) 310-1160.
Wyoming County Crisis Line – (800) 724-8583 or Wyoming County Mental Health Clinic – (585) 786-0190.