NJ Man Hailed as Hero for Attempting to Save Neighbor from House Fire Now Charged with Her Murder, Arson

Five months ago, William Ahle was being celebrated by his entire community for heroically trying to rescue one of his elderly neighbors from her burning home. This week, the 70-year-old man stands accused of murder.

Ahle was lauded back on July 25 after trying to save Virginia Cranwell‘s life by running into her Fanwood, New Jersey, residence, which was on fire. He was unsuccessful in his attempt but praised nevertheless for the valiant effort. Twenty minutes after firefighters arrived at the scene, the blaze was extinguished, and police found the 82-year-old woman dead in bed.

Soon after, police interviewed Ahle, who allegedly told them that he noticed smoke coming from inside the house while he was walking his dog at around 1:30 a.m.

Instinct took over, he told the police, and he made a beeline for the burning building. Ahle rushed into Cranwell’s open garage but told police the flames were too intense.

After arson investigators determined that an accelerant had been used to spark the fire, detectives started looking into Ahle as a possible suspect.

On Wednesday, Ahle learned that he was being charged with murdering Cranwell, a mother and grandmother, when a SWAT team showed up to bust down his front door to handcuff him. Ahle has also been charged with arson for setting the fire that killed Cranwell and burglary for stealing a number of items from her house.

A motive — if known — has not been shared by investigators.

Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced Ahle’s arrest via press release, though he made no official comment about the allegations against him.

Ahle was the one who called 911 to report smoke coming from Cranwell’s home.

Ahle suffered serious burns during the alleged rescue attempt, for which he was treated at the Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

The Union County Medical Examiner’s Office had ruled Cranwell’s death a homicide.

ABC News spoke to several of Ahle’s neighbors, who said he was well-known around town as a helpful guy, always willing to lend a hand. They said that they were surprised to find out Ahle had been charged in the case.

“The guy was in the hospital with a lot of bad burns after he tried to rescue her,” said one neighbor, who was not named in the report. “I really find that hard to believe.”

Added the stupefied neighbor: “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.”

Ahle is being held at the Middlesex County Jail pending his next court appearance, officials said.

Us Weekly was unable to determine if Ahle had entered pleas to the charges he faces or if he had an attorney who could address the allegations.

Anyone with information, including those who may have had any discussion or interaction with the suspect in relation to this matter, is urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Detective Darius Singletary at (908) 632-0537, Sergeant Nicholas Veltre at (908) 347-7330 or Fanwood Police Sergeant Tyler Flowers at (908) 591-5457.