SOMERVILLE, N.J. (Somerset County) — A Somerville man was sentenced to six years in New Jersey State Prison for aggravated arson and theft of a motor vehicle stemming from a four-alarm fire that damaged multiple buildings and displaced residents, authorities said.
Amr A. Khodeer, 25, was sentenced Dec. 12, 2025, by Somerset County Presiding Criminal Judge Peter Tober after pleading guilty to second-degree aggravated arson and second-degree theft of a motor vehicle. The case was prosecuted by Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Casale.
The charges stem from a June 4, 2024, fire on West Main Street in Somerville. Police and firefighters were dispatched at about 2:03 p.m. to a report of a structure fire that ultimately escalated to a four-alarm blaze. Fire departments from numerous surrounding communities responded to assist Somerville firefighters, along with emergency medical personnel and law enforcement agencies.
Officials said the fire caused severe damage to the building where it originated and to neighboring residential and commercial structures, forcing multiple residents to be displaced. All occupants were safely evacuated and no civilians were seriously injured, authorities said.
One Somerville police officer sustained minor injuries and was treated at a hospital before being released. Four firefighters also suffered minor injuries, with two treated at the scene and two taken to a hospital and later released.
Investigators determined that Khodeer was seen leaving the basement of the West Main Street building as smoke was coming from the structure, according to authorities. A short time later, a construction vehicle was reported stolen from Union Street in Somerville.
Police said the vehicle was driven at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner before striking two vehicles and a structure in Bridgewater Township, where it became disabled. The driver fled on foot but was apprehended by Bridgewater police officers. Authorities said Khodeer was found to have fresh burns on his extremities at the time of his arrest.
The investigation was conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Fire Investigation Unit and the Somerset County Arson Task Force.
