New Jersey man who claimed he tried to rescue elderly neighbor from fire charged with her murder — and arson
A 70‑year‑old man from New Jersey, named William Ahle, has been formally charged with the murder of his elderly neighbor after a blaze that destroyed their homes in Fanwood. The fire, which began on July 25, turned out to be an intentional act, officials said, and it killed Virginia Cranwell, a resident of the town.
Ahle was reportedly the first to call 911, sounding the alarm because smoke was coming from a bedroom on the second floor of Cranwell’s house on Kempshall Terrace. He claimed he was walking his dog at about “1:30 a.m.” when he noticed the flames and darted into the neighbors’ open garage to try to rescue her. According to his own account, the fire was too intense to allow him to get inside, and he was shoved back by the heat.
The attempted rescue left Ahle badly burned. He was transported to the Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, where he received treatment for serious injuries. Meanwhile, firefighters extinguished the fire within 20 minutes, but they found Cranwell unresponsive in her bedroom and pronounced her dead at the scene.
The Union County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Cranwell’s death was a homicide, citing Ahle as the main suspect. He now faces charges that include first‑degree murder, first‑degree felony murder, first‑degree burglary, and second‑degree aggravated arson, as announced by Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel.
In a recent raid, a SWAT team burst into Ahle’s house early Wednesday morning and took him into custody. He is being held at the Middlesex County Jail until his next court date.
Neighbors in the quiet neighborhood were stunned to learn that the person who supposedly hurried in to save the victim was the alleged killer. “The guy was in the hospital with a lot of bad burns after he tried to rescue her. I really find that hard to believe,” one resident told reporters. Another added, “I can just say that I’m shocked. He’s a neighbor, and he seems like a great guy. And he originally helped her. He tried to save her. So it doesn’t make any sense, I just don’t understand.”
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
