Matthew Allan Hertler, 22, of High Hill Road in Jacksonville, was charged with second-degree arson and burning an unoccupied building in connection to two fires at 233 Holly St. in Holly Ridge, according to warrants at the Onslow County magistrate's office.
Hertler, who was a probationary firefighter trainee, has worked at the Jacksonville Fire Department since March, said Jacksonville Fire Department Chief Rick McIntyre.
Hertler, who lived in Holly Ridge until a few days prior to his arrest, served as a firefighter at that fire department for the past 1 ??ars. He was suspended from his duties in Holly Ridge pending the outcome of the investigation, said William Arnold, chief of the Holly Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.
Hertler was arrested May 13 by the Holly Ridge Police Department and placed in Onslow County Jail under $7,000 bond. He paid his bond and was released May 17, according to warrants.
Hertler's arrest came after an investigation into two separate fires at 233 Holly St., which is owned by Lynn Vehoeff, according to warrants.
Holly Ridge firefighters responded to a fire at the residence at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5. No one was home at the time, and there were no injuries. The blaze left the home unlivable, Arnold said.
Turkey Creek, Sneads Ferry and Surf City volunteer fire departments assisted in the call, Arnold said.
As officials started their investigation into the cause of the fire, it was deemed suspicious. Officials with the Holly Ridge Police Department and the Onslow County Fire Marshal's Office assisted in the investigation, Arnold said.
"We had several suspects at the time that we were looking at it and couldn't get anything definite on them," Arnold said. "Hertler was a suspect, but nothing substantial could be found to pinpoint it to him."
Holly Ridge firefighters were called again to the same address at 1:30 a.m. May 12. Turkey Creek, Surf City and Sneads Ferry volunteer fire departments assisted, Arnold said.
When fire officials responded to the second fire, they automatically considered it suspicious and their approach was different, Arnold said.
Hertler, who went through a routine background check when he joined the Holly Ridge department, was charged the next day, Arnold said.
Arnold said that a "true firefighter" doesn't set fires.
"As far as I'm concerned, a real, true blue firefighter who gives of his time, energy and a lot of his own money wouldn't do this," Arnold said.
The hope is that Hertler's arrest won't make the public lose faith in its fire department, Arnold said.
"Just because volunteers don't get paid doesn't mean they are not professionals," Arnold said. "They do a good job and deserve all the credit of trying to put the fire out. They should be commended, and one person's actions shouldn't discredit all other firefighters just because of this action by one individual."
