Overview
- William Ahle, 70, was arrested Wednesday and accused of setting the Kempshall Terrace fire that killed Virginia Cranwell, 82.
- He faces first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, first-degree burglary and second-degree aggravated arson charges.
- Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set and the medical examiner ruled Cranwell’s death a homicide.
- Ahle had previously claimed he tried to rescue his neighbor and was treated for severe burns at the Cooperman Barnabas burn center.
- He is being held at Middlesex County Jail as prosecutors seek additional witnesses, with neighbors reporting a SWAT team conducted his early-morning arrest.