Bound Brook Man Indicted For Setting Massive 7-Alarm Fire

BOUND BROOK, NJ — A Somerset County Grand Jury has indicted a Bound Brook man on charges in connection with setting a massive seven-alarm fire that devastated the borough's downtown in January.

Juan Hector Padilla, 29, of East Second Street in Bound Brook was indicted on charges of second-degree burglary, second-degree aggravated arson, third-degree aggravated assault (for injury to a firefighter), and third-degree hindering apprehension of oneself, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Bound Brook Chief of Police Vito Bet announced.

The fire broke out on Jan. 12 at around 7:53 p.m. at the Meridia II building located on East Main Street and Mountain Avenue in Bound Brook. Read More: 7-Alarm Fire Rages In Bound Brook

The Bound Brook Fire Department, along with 36 fire companies from Somerset, Middlesex, Union, Hunterdon and Mercer counties, as well as the New Jersey State Forestry Service helped to put out the fire.

Due to radiant heat and wind, the fire spread quickly throughout the building and to adjacent buildings located on Main Street. A firefighter was injured, suffering a sprained ankle while putting out the fire, said Robertson.

• Read More: 'We Will Rebuild,' Bound Brook Mayor Says After Massive Fire

Video surveillance from nearby businesses helped identify Padilla, said Robertson.

Padilla was seen walking in the area of the Meridia II building on East Main Street several times leading up to the fire on Sunday night, said Robertson.

Padilla was arrested on Jan. 13. Padilla was taken to the Somerset County Jail and remains there under an order of pretrial detention entered by the court.

Anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Bound Brook Police Department at 732-356-0800 or make a report via the STOPit app. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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