Aberdeen Teens Face Arson Charges

Three Aberdeen teens are facing arson charges after police say they damaged a footbridge when they built a fire on it.

Charles Camp, 18, of Brookside Avenue, Aberdeen, and two boys, ages 14- and 15-years-old, were visiting a nearby home, then left Monday early morning, according to Aberdeen Police Chief John Powers.

According to a news release from the chief:

The teens built a fire on a township footbridge that runs between Deerfield Lane and Matawan Regional High School on Atlantic Avenue.

Around 5:30 a.m. police received a report about a fire behind the school. When Officer Charles Trucillo arrived, a school maintenance worker said he had seen three youths running from the scene.

Officer Martin Walsh found the teens walking on Atlantic Avenue and took them into custody.

Police determined the three had built a fire on the bridge for warmth.

Camp was released on a summons. The boys were released to guardians, pending action in Family Court, police said.

Firefighters from Aberdeen Township Hose and Chemical Company No. 1 extinguished the fire, which damaged about ten bridge decking boards.