GLEN GARDNER, N.J.(Hunterdon County) — Scott Reilly, 50, of Glen Gardner, NJ is in custody, facing six counts of second degree aggravated arson in a blaze at the Spruce Hill Condominiums Wednesday evening.
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski, and New Jersey State Police Washington Station Commander Lieutenant Dan Dalrymple announced the arrest Friday.
“The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Task Force, the HCPO Major Crimes Unit, and the New Jersey State Police began investigating the fire Wednesday evening and the investigation is ongoing. Six units in the complex were destroyed or sustained heavy damage. Some were occupied at the time of the fire. The fire has been ruled arson and one individual is in custody,” Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns said.
According to radio reports, heavy fire and smoke was throughout the building when firefighters first arrived on scene.
“Several people were evacuated and the six or seven people that were displaced are safe and being taken care of,” Glen Gardner Mattias Schroeter said.
“I commend the efforts of the volunteer firefighters that fought this dangerous fire. We are very fortunate that there were no injuries. Our thoughts are with the residents that have lost so much and have been displaced from their homes,” Kearns said.
Reilly was charged with six counts of 2nd Degree Aggravated Arson and bail has been set at $75,000 by the Honorable Robert Alexander, J.M.C. Reilly has been lodged at the Somerset County Jail awaiting a first court appearance.
Glen Gardner Fire Department was assisted by the following responding fire and EMS crews included Washington Emergency Squad, High Bridge Emergency Squad, Hampton Fire and Rescue, Hampton Emergency Squad, Washington Special Operations, Hunterdon Medical Center MICU, Washington Fire Department, Califon Fire, Lebanon Fire Department, Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad, Quakertown Fire Department, High Bridge Fire Department, Pattenburg Fire Department and Lebanon Township Fire Department. The Hunterdon County Arson Task Force is comprised of specially trained police officers, volunteer firefighters, as well as HCPO Detectives that work in conjunction with the State Police Arson/Bomb Squad and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal K-9 Unit to investigate major fires in the county.
If anyone has any information regarding the fire, please call the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling CrimeStoppers at 1-800-321-0010 or by going to www.crimestoppershunterdon.com, or text messaging “HCTIPS” plus your tip message to 274637
(CRIMES). Tipsters can also download the free mobile app “Tipsubmit” and select Hunterdon County to submit anonymous tips via text messaging. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.
By: Jay Edwards
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