On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Damage to the rear of the building
OCEAN CITY — A 12-year-old boy has been charged with arson in a Sunday afternoon fire at a city grocery store.
Police did not identify the boy but said he was charged with two counts of aggravated arson, failure to report a fire, risking widespread injury/damage, aggravated assault and criminal mischief, city spokesman Doug Bergen said Tuesday in a news release. The boy was released to the custody of his family pending juvenile court.
At 12:53 p.m. Sunday, police dispatch received a report of a fire at the Acme supermarket at 800 West Ave., according to the release. The fire was extinguished by 1:15 p.m. Visible damage was limited to the concrete garage area.
City police and fire, as well as the state and Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office, investigated and found the cause of the fire was arson, according to the release.
Detective Sgt. Dan Lancaster and Detective Matthew Crowley made the arrest.
The store was evacuated, and there were no injuries to any customers, employees or firefighters, Bergen said Sunday. Due to the fire, the Acme is closed until further notice. A location at 3428 Simpson Ave. remains open.
“...We are extremely thankful that all associates and customers made it out of the store safely, without injury,” Dana Ward, a spokesperson for Acme, said on Sunday. “At this time, the store will remain closed until Ocean City officials deem it safe to reopen.”
The Margate Fire Department, Marmora Fire Company and Upper Township Rescue Squad provided assistance, and the Cape May County Health Department inspectors were on the scene Sunday.
Staff writer CJ Fairfield contributed to this report.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
Ocean City police and firefighters access some of the damage to the Acme Markets store after a fire in its below-ground parking garage Sunday. View more photos and a video from the scene at PressofAC.com.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Damage to the rear of the building
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas across the street on 8th ave. to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off area in front of the store on West Ave. to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
No one was injured in the fire, but smoke could be seen as far away as Somers Point. The cause is still under investigation.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment. Damage to the side facing 9th street.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment. Damage to the side facing 9th street.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
111620_nws_fire
On Nov.15 2020, In Ocean City, local police and fire engines as well as an engine from Margate responded to a fire which appeared to have effected the parking garage area of the Acme on 9th st. Store employees could be seen waiting by the taped off areas to hear word on the damage assessment.
Molly Bilinski
Staff Writer
My beat is public safety, following police and crime. I started in January 2018 here at the Press covering Egg Harbor and Galloway townships. Before that, I worked at the Reading Eagle in Reading, Pa., covering crime and writing obituaries.
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