Morris County officials announce the arrest of Anthony Rondan, 29, of Budd Lake, on charges related to a fire that occurred on May 9 in Flanders.
According to officials, at approximately 4:46 a.m., an officer on patrol in Flanders observed smoke at a vacant, historical business known as Ye Old Mill Shoppe on Route 206, and requested fire and first aid response to the scene.
Upon further investigation, it was determined that Rondan allegedly discarded a lit cigarette while inside the building.
According to police, Rondan has been charged with one count of Failure to Report a Dangerous Fire and one count of Criminal Trespass, a disorderly persons offense. The defendant was charged by way of a summons complaint and was released on his own recognizance.
The investigation was conducted by the Mount Olive Fire Marshal, Mount Olive Police Department, Morris County Sheriff Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Arson and Environmental Crimes Unit.