OAN Staff Avril Elfie
1:00 PM – Wednesday, November 13, 2024
A 20-year-old volunteer firefighter in Medford, New York, has been arrested after admitting to starting a brush fire.
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Volunteer firefighter Jonathan Quiles, 20, intentionally started the fire in a wooded area on Mount Vernon Avenue, damaging a 2004 Chevrolet and starting six nearby fires, officials said. It also caused a small forest fire.
A fire engulfed an area of Twelve Pines Park on Tuesday, and fighters were called in on Wednesday morning to clear the hotspot. No injuries were reported in Tuesday's fire.
The growing fire was also one of several wildfires burning in Suffolk County on Wednesday.
The court heard that at 3:23 p.m. local time, four witnesses had seen Mr Quiles kicking and throwing the cotton balls, and claimed he had intentionally set the balls on fire. are. Fifteen minutes later, another witness allegedly saw him throw more cotton balls onto the fire behind a residential area.
He is charged with arson and reckless endangerment. The Suffolk district attorney says the charges are not eligible for bail.
“Unfortunately, under New York State's 'bail reform,' intentionally starting a fire in a dangerously dry environment and the state-wide burn ban are not bailable crimes. My prosecutors can't even request bail on these charges.''New York state lawmakers need to take action and make common sense fixes to our broken bail system.''Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond.・Tierney said.
The Medford Fire Department said in a statement: “While we conduct a background check for arson before allowing members to enter, we have no knowledge to suspect that this individual may have had a propensity to intentionally set fires.”
Mr Quiles is currently suspended and could be fired if found guilty.
“This incident is being actively investigated by the Suffolk County PD Arson Squad,” the department said.
This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.
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