By FireRescue1 Staff
SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — Three volunteer firefighters were charged with arson after allegedly starting house fires and then responding to the calls to put them out.
NBC New York reported that Central Islip Fire Department firefighters Austin Lehman, Stephen Hernandez and Shawn Key face charges after allegedly starting five house fires that they later helped extinguish.
“The individuals involved responded to the fires,” an official said. “They put their fellow members of the Islip Fire Department in grave jeopardy.”
The firefighters were charged with five counts of third-degree arson.
“We have been and will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement officials throughout their investigation. This is a very serious matter and we are extremely shocked and disheartened to learn of these allegations,” CIFD said in a statement.