A New Jersey man has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit arson on a Bucks County warehouse. Ramiz Duka, 61, of Cherry Hill, was convicted following a trial where evidence laid out his role in planning and instigating the fire that resulted in serious injuries to a firefighter and nearly $6 million in damages, the United States Attorney's Office announced.
According to the statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Duka had paid two men $15,000 to set the warehouse located at 1388 Bridgewater Road in Bensalem, Pa., ablaze. The criminal plan, which spanned several weeks, came to fruition on December 10, 2022, when one of the hired individuals carried out the arson. The fire required extensive efforts from local firefighters, and during these operations, a firefighter was seriously injured due to a ladder collapse.
Now convicted, Duka faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, with the possibility of a 20-year sentence. The investigation that led to Duka's conviction was a coordinated effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Bensalem Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz is handling the prosecution of the case. This case also saw a contribution from Bensalem Township Fire Rescue and the surrounding volunteer firefighter companies who responded to the emergency call.
The sentencing of Duka is yet to be scheduled, where he will be held accountable for the destruction and harm caused by the arson.
