By: Richard L. Smith
A Somerville man has been sentenced to six years in New Jersey State Prison for his role in a destructive four-alarm fire and the theft of a motor vehicle, according to a statement released by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors said Amr A. Khodeer, 25, of Somerville, was sentenced on December 12, 2025, after pleading guilty to second-degree aggravated arson and second-degree theft of a motor vehicle.
The sentence was imposed by Peter Tober. The case was handled by Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Casale and investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Fire Investigation Unit, and the Somerset County Arson Task Force.
The charges stem from a June 4, 2024 incident on West Main Street in Somerville, where fire and police were dispatched to a reported structure fire just after 2 p.m.
The blaze escalated to a four-alarm fire, drawing mutual aid from numerous fire departments across Somerset County and surrounding communities.
Emergency medical personnel and county agencies also responded to assist with evacuations and scene management.
Officials said the fire caused extensive damage to the primary building and neighboring residential and commercial properties, displacing multiple residents.
All occupants were safely evacuated. One Somerville police officer and four firefighters sustained minor injuries and were treated and released.
An investigation determined that Khodeer was seen exiting the basement of the building where the fire originated as smoke began to billow from the structure.
Shortly afterward, authorities said a construction vehicle was stolen nearby and driven recklessly through Somerville and into Bridgewater, where it struck two vehicles and a structure before becoming disabled. 
Khodeer allegedly fled on foot but was captured by the Bridgewater Police Department. Investigators noted he had fresh burn injuries at the time of his arrest.
Prosecutors credited the coordinated response of local and county first responders for preventing more serious injuries during the incident.