MADISON, N.C. — A former NC volunteer firefighter credited with saving the lives of the residents in an apartment fire has been arrested for starting the blaze.
Jacob Rumley was arrested Tuesday night and charged with one count of first-degree arson, according to MyFox8.
Rumely reportedly alerted sleeping residents at an apartment complex he was a maintenance technician for as the fire broke-out.
He said he sprung into action because of his previous experience as a Madison Fire Department firefighter.
“I just applied my training, in part, I knew what I had to do,” he said.
A police investigation later concluded that he had actually started the fire.
Police Chief Perry Webster said it was a shame that the incident occurred on 9/11, a day to honor first responders.
Rumely is being held in jail under a $25,000 bond