RINDGE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – A Jaffrey man will likely face charges after Police say he discarded a lit cigarette and ignited a brush fire in Rindge.
According to a news release, Rindge Police, Rindge Fire, and multiple neighboring fire department responded to Annett State Park for a reported brush fire on Monday. The fire spread over a quarter of an acre and was about a mile and a half into the park off an old cart road.
Two people had reportedly been joyriding in the area during the early morning hours when the truck slid over an embankment and became stuck on some large rocks.
Rindge Police say Elijah Fogg, 23, of Jaffrey had discarded a lit cigarette into the wooded area nearby, causing the brush fire to ignite as dangerously high fire hazard conditions continued.
Fogg and the driver of the truck, identified as Alexander Barden, 24, of Hudson, New Hampshire, were unable to extinguish the blaze on their own and called for emergency services. The fire was contained and extinguished and the truck was towed from the scene.
Police conducted a subsequent investigation and arrested Barden and charged him with Operating a Vehicle while being a Habitual Offender and Littering. He may be facing additional charges once the investigation is complete.
Fogg remains under investigation and police say he’s likely to be charged with Arson and Littering, with the possibility of additional charges pending.
The Department of Forest and Lands and the New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s office will assist in the investigation.
