A volunteer firefighter from Medford, New York, was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire in Suffolk County, Long Island, despite extremely dry conditions, police said.
Suffolk County police arrested Jonathan Quiles, 20, a volunteer firefighter in the hamlet of Medford, on suspicion of setting fire to a wooded area around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
In addition to the wooded area, cars parked nearby were also damaged, police said.
Quiles has reportedly been suspended from the Medford Fire Department and will be fired if convicted, the Medford Fire District said in a press release posted on social media.
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Jonathan Quiles, a volunteer firefighter from Medford, New York, is charged with intentionally starting a brush fire, police said. (Pool photo)
“While the Medford Fire District conducts arson background checks prior to admitting personnel, we have no knowledge to suspect that this individual may have had a propensity to intentionally set fires,” the district said. “This incident is being actively investigated by law enforcement authorities.” [Suffolk County Police Department] Arson squad. ”
Quiles was charged with fourth-degree arson, fifth-degree arson and second-degree reckless endangerment. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court records.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney released a statement regarding Quiles' arrest.
Body camera footage shows an Ohio woman being pulled from her basement to safety while her home is engulfed in flames upstairs.
Volunteer firefighters from multiple fire departments extinguished a brush fire at Twelve Pines Park in Medford, New York, on Tuesday. (Steve Forst/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
“Unfortunately, under New York State's 'bail reform,' intentional arson in dangerously dry conditions and the state-wide burn ban are not bailable offenses, which means that prosecutors cannot That means he can't even post bail,” Tierney said. “New York state lawmakers need to get their act together and make common sense fixes to our broken bail system.”
New York state has issued a statewide burning ban until November 30th due to dry weather and recent wildfires across the state.
A burning ban means open fires for brush and debris, uncontained campfires, recreational campfires, and open fires for cooking are prohibited.
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New York Governor Cathy Hochul emphasized the importance of the burn ban in a social media post.
“New Yorkers, it is important to avoid outdoor fires at this time,” she wrote on Please remember to monitor.”
