WESTFIELD – A city man was arrested Tuesday on charges of attempted arson on a dwelling and willful ignition of an incendiary device.
Nghe Van Ho, 57, formerly of Kellogg Street, was arrested by Westfield Police at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday in connection with an August 3 incident in which the Westfield Fire Department responded to a call claiming there was smoke in the basement at 34 Kellogg Street.
Firefighters arrived and discovered a smoldering box in the basement and discovered a suspicious device in the box when they removed it to extinguish the fire.
A joint investigation began between Westfield Police and the Fire and Investigative Unit of the state Fire Marshal’s Office, which determined that the incendiary device that was placed in the basement was equipped with a timing device to delay ignition.
Through the investigation, authorities were able to identify where certain portions of the device were purchased and by whom.
The arresting officer, Westfield Det. Lt. David Ragazzini, said that the investigation led authorities to the property’s landlord, Nghe Van Ho, a native of Vietnam who has resided in the United States for around 30 years.
A Language Analyst from the Federal Bureau of Investigation was called to Westfield to work as an interpretor for Westfield Police during the interview of Ho, whose primary language is Vietnamese.
Ragazzini said that during the interview that took place Tuesday, Ho admitted to his involvement in the fire and was placed under arrest. He subsequently made bail, and was arraigned Wednesday in Westfield District Court.
Judge Philip Contant ordered Ho be held in lieu of bail until his next scheduled court appearance on August 19.
