A captain with the Metro Nashville Fire Department, once recognized for heroism, has been arrested and accused of arson an insurance fraud in connection with a fire that destroyed his White Bluff home.
According to ABCNEWS.go.com, Capt. Jeffrey Neely, 48, of the Metro-Nashville Fire Department reported a fire in his house on Sept. 5, 2016. He told authorities he was cooking bacon when a fire started.
That fire was extinguished, but at 5 am the next morning a passerby noticed that Neely’s house was on fire again. By the time firefighters arrived for the second fire, it was too late. The structure had already collapsed and the 2,470-square-foot house built in 1983 was a total loss.
According to the television station, Neely had complained of chest pains at the first fire, on Sept. 5 and was transported to the hospital. He was not around when the second fire was reported which prompted an arson investigation.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation opened a case two days after the fire and during that investigation determined arson at play, according to the television station.
On Oct. 18, a grand jury returned an indictment for felony arson and insurance fraud, according to the TV report. Neely was arrested on Tuesday and jailed in Dickson County where he posted a $50,000 bond, according to ABCNews. He is due back in court on Nov. 13.
The station reported Neely was not on duty when he was arrested and has been placed on paid administrative leave. The Nashville Fire Department said in a statement that he will remain on leave pending an internal investigation.
In 2003, Neely was one of the first firefighters to arrive on the scene of a fire at the NHC Nashville HealthCare Center that claimed eight lives. Neely became trapped with several elderly patients and survival was uncertain. He smashed a window to let air in and lead patients down a stairwell filled with black smoke to safety. Neely was met by his father who is also a firefighter, the station reported.
