Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski, and New Jersey State Police Kingwood Station Commander Lieutenant James Heitzman announced that fire investigators were investigating a house fire on Hickory Corner Road in Alexandria Township. The fire was reported at approximately 2:50 PM on Monday. The fire has been ruled arson and one individual is in custody.
According to Prosecutor Kearns, “The New Jersey State Police Kingwood Station, Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Task Force, and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit began investigating the fire Monday evening and the investigation is ongoing. The structure suffered extensive damage and was unoccupied at the time of the fire.”
Prosecutor Kearns added, “The homeowner, Christopher DeFago, 54, of Alexandria Township, was arrested and charged with one count of 2nd Degree Aggravated Arson. Mr. DeFago was lodged at the Somerset County Jail awaiting a first court appearance.”
Milford Fire Department, Pattenburg Fire Department, Quakertown Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department, Kingwood Fire Department, Sergentsville Fire Department, Holland Fire Department and Bloomsbury Fire Department responded to the scene to extinguish the fire. Also responding were the Hunterdon County Fire and EMS Coordinators, New Jersey State Fire Coordinator, Milford Rescue Squad, Clinton Rescue Squad, and paramedics from Hunterdon Medical Center.
Prosecutor Kearns concluded, “I commend the dedication and commitment of the volunteer firefighters from Hunterdon County for their quick response to this fire. We are very fortunate to have such a fine volunteer system of brave men and women.”
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