BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – A 48-year-old man from Berkeley Township has been charged with aggravated arson after investigators say he intentionally set fire to a mulch bed outside a Pheasant Drive residence on Wednesday morning.
The incident was reported around 7:20 a.m. when police and firefighters responded to a small brush fire in front of the home.
Fire crews extinguished the smoldering mulch bed before it spread, officials said.
Investigators trace fire to open flame and ignitable liquid
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, an investigation by multiple agencies determined the fire originated in the mulch bed on the south side of the residence and was caused by an open flame applied to an ignitable liquid.
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The joint probe included the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Berkeley Township Police Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
Suspect identified and arrested
Investigators later identified John Bruno as the person responsible for starting the fire. He was taken into custody at Berkeley Township Police Headquarters and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains pending a detention hearing.
Authorities did not report any injuries or structural damage resulting from the incident.
Officials commend investigative cooperation
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Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer praised the coordinated efforts of all responding and investigating agencies, citing their work in quickly identifying and apprehending the suspect.
Officials emphasized that the charge is an accusation and that Bruno is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
A Berkeley Township man was charged with aggravated arson after investigators said he set fire to a mulch bed outside a Pheasant Drive residence.
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