Authorities suspect arson as the cause of a house fire on Mountainside Avenue in Randolph, New Jersey.

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Randolph Township Police Department issued a joint press release and stated that investigators had ruled out both natural causes and accidental causes in the blaze.

The NJ Department of Transportation said that the fire forced police and firefighters to shut down multiple lanes on Route 10 at Morris Street for a brief period of time.

Since the house was unoccupied at the time of the fire, the only injuries that resulted were heat-related injuries to firefighters called to the scene.

In New Jersey, arson is a very serious criminal offense. Although arson can be classified as a first degree felony, it is typically classified as a third degree offense. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1, third degree arson charges may be brought against a person who starts a fire that recklessly endangers another person or a building.

Although police have not yet identified a suspect in the case, the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has any information pertaining to the fire, they are asked to contact the Randolph Police Department at 973-989-7010 or the Morris County CrimeStoppers tip line at 973-267-2255.

To learn more, read the NJ.com article entitled “Randolph House Fire Wasn’t Sparked by ‘Natural or Accidental Causes,’ Authorities Say.”

 

If you are facing arson or aggravated arson charges in New Jersey, contact Morristown NJ criminal defense attorney Travis J. Tormey for a free consultation about your case.