Man Charged with Arson for Fire that Injured Firefighters in Somerville, NJ
By Jeff Goldman
Source nj.com (TNS)
A 24-year-old man intentionally started a fire in the basement of a Somerville restaurant earlier this year that spread to neighboring businesses and apartments, injuring four firefighters, authorities said.
Amr A. Khodeer, of Somerville, is charged with two counts of aggravated arson, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday.
Khodeer had previously been charged with theft of a motor vehicle after he fled the June 4 fire in a construction vehicle. Khodeer later crashed into two parked vehicles and a buillding in Bridgewater before being arrested.
Khodeer ignited the blaze in the basement of Mediterranean restaurant King Tut on West Main Street at about 2 p.m. on June 4, officials said. The fire damaged five businesses and 18 apartments.
He was seen leaving the basement of the apartment and had “fresh burns” on his body when he was taken into custody, the prosecutor’s office said.
A lengthy investigation determined Khodeer purposely started the fire. He is being held at the Morris County jail.
One Somerville police officer and four firefighters were treated for minor injuries.
Attorney information for Khodeer wasn’t immediately available.
©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
