By MADDY VITALE
Police charged a 12-year-old Ocean City boy with arson on Tuesday in the weekend fire that closed the Acme supermarket on Eighth Street and West Avenue indefinitely.
The boy, whose name was not released due to his age, was charged with aggravated arson, failure to report a fire, risking widespread injury and damage, aggravated assault and criminal mischief, according to a press release from the Ocean City Police Department.
On Sunday at 12:53 p.m., police received a report of a fire at the Acme. Firefighters responded within minutes and by 1:15 p.m. the fire was extinguished. It was limited to the parking garage underneath the supermarket. There were no reported injuries.
A subsequent investigation by the Ocean City Police Department, Ocean City Fire Department, State Fire Marshal’s Office and Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office concluded the fire was a result of arson.
Detective Sergeant Dan Lancaster and Detective Matthew Crowley arrested the boy in Ocean City. He was released to the custody of his family pending juvenile court.
The investigation was conducted by the Ocean City Detective Bureau.
While the fire did not damage the exterior of the building, thick, black smoke billowed from the parking garage and seeped inside the store.
On Monday, store employees threw out spoiled food. Other employees stood at the barriers blocking the parking lot and turned away some shoppers who were unaware of the fire.
Acme spokeswoman Dana Ward said Monday that it was unclear when the store would reopen, but noted that customers could go to the other Acme at 34th Street and Simpson Avenue to shop.
