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 that fire investigators were investigating a structure fire at the Spruce Hill Condominiums in Glen Gardner. The fire was reported at approximately 5:00PM on Wednesday.
According to Prosecutor Kearns, “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.”
Arrested and charged with six counts of 2nd Degree Aggravated Arson was Scott Reilly, 50, of Glen Gardner. Bail has been set at $75,000 by the Honorable Robert Alexander, J.M.C. and the defendant has been lodged at the Somerset County Jail awaiting a first court appearance.
Prosecutor Kearns added, “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.”
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, 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.
The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendant is presumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law.
