11

Lacey Township, NJ – A Lacey Township man has been charged with aggravated arson after investigators determined that a residential fire was deliberately set inside a Hillwood Road home Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency crews responded to the property around 1:05 p.m. after receiving reports of a house fire involving furniture.

Firefighters quickly contained the blaze, which was found to have started on a couch and ottoman in the living room, authorities said.

Following a joint investigation, 43-year-old Taquan Shelton, a renter at the residence, was identified as the suspect responsible for starting the fire.

Investigators trace cause to open flame and accelerant

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad determined that the fire was ignited using an open flame

See Full Page