Volunteer firefighter arrested, accused of starting brush fire in Suffolk County
MEDFORD, Long Island (WABC) -- A volunteer firefighter in Suffolk County was arrested for allegedly setting a brush fire in Medford.
Firefighter Jonathan Quiles, 20, intentionally set a fire in a wooded area on Mount Vernon Avenue that damaged a 2004 Chevrolet parked nearby, police say.
The fire burned through an area of Twelve Pines Park on Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters responded Wednesday morning to put out hot spots.
It was one of several brush fires in Suffolk County on Wednesday.
In court it was revealed that four witnesses saw the suspect at 3:23 p.m. kicking and throwing cotton balls, which they say he lit on fire. And 15 minutes later, behind a residential area, another witness saw him throw cotton balls on fire.
"I don't want to get into any particular facts but I will tell you that there is a history here of some psychological issues that he's had in the past," said defense attorney Anthony LaPinta.
Quiles is charged with arson and reckless endangerment. The Suffolk District Attorney says the charges are not bail eligible.
The Medford Fire Department said they "perform arson background checks before admitting members and there was no knowledge to suspect that this individual may have had any inclination of intentionally setting fires."
They said Quiles is suspended and if convicted, he will be fired. The department said "the incident is actively being investigated by the Suffolk County PD Arson Squad."
An order of protection was requested by at least one of victims, the owner of a 2004 Chevrolet parked nearby that also caught fire.
"It's unfortunate this turned out to be a volunteer firefighter, but as our district attorney says and something I believe, I know the county executive believes, no one is above the law," said Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico.
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