A man who was initially praised for trying to rescue his elderly next-door neighbor from a house fire in Fanwood is now facing murder and arson charges, in a case that has stunned residents in the Union County community about an hour from New York City.
Prosecutors say William Ahle, 70, a retired corrections officer, intentionally set the July 25 fire that killed Virginia Cranwell, 82, at her home on Kempshall Terrace.
What prosecutors allege
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office says investigators determined the blaze was an intentional act, and the Union County Medical Examiner ruled Cranwell’s death a homicide.
Ahle has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, first-degree burglary, and second-degree aggravated arson, according to prosecutors and multiple local reports.
Authorities have not publicly detailed a motive.
From “helpful neighbor” to suspect
In the hours after the fire, Ahle was seen by some neighbors as a would-be rescuer. According to reports, he claimed he noticed the fire while outside and tried to enter the home to help, suffering burns that required hospitalization — a narrative that fueled early public sympathy.
As the investigation continued, prosecutors say the evidence led them in the opposite direction.
Where the case stands now
Ahle was taken into custody on Dec. 10 and is being held at Middlesex County Jail pending his next court appearance, according to official statements and reporting.
The investigation remains active, and Ahle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
