Woods fires hit Durham, Person
By SAMIHA KHANNA
The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Copyright 2006 The News and Observer
DURHAM — A volunteer firefighter in a northern Durham community has been accused of setting wildfires in two counties for the past six months.
Harold Nelson Oakley III, 19, was arrested Wednesday on six felony counts of burning with the intent to damage property.
Oakley worked at the Bahama Volunteer Fire Department, and he and a friend have confessed to starting the small woods fires in Durham and Person counties, said Cpl. Jonathan Helsius of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office.
Oakley and his friend, Jeffrey Robert Dugan, 19, were investigated after officials determined that three fires near Rougemont on State Forestry and Hampton roads early June 1 were started with accelerants, Helsius said.
In the most serious of the three incidents, Dugan was the first to call 911 to report the fire, and the Bahama department responded, Helsius said. Oakley helped contain the blaze, which burned a fraction of an acre, Helsius said.
When confronted by authorities, Dugan allegedly confessed to helping Oakley start the fires, Helsius said.
Oakley carried a radio and often responded to calls in his personal car, Helsius said. Although he was a volunteer, he received a small amount of money for each fire he helped fight, Helsius said.
Dugan told investigators that Oakley set the fires for the small stipend he would get. Oakley denied that allegation and told Helsius that he set the fires for “therapeutic reasons,” telling the investigator that he was under stress and that putting out fires gave him relief.
Oakley also was charged in connection with three woods fires in Person County that occurred in November and March.
Dugan, of 1730 Frank Whitfield Road in Hurdle Mills, was charged with three counts of being an accessory after the fact.
Both he and Oakley, of 688 Welch Wakefield Road in Rougemont, were released on $5,000 unsecured bail, Helsius said.