A 45-year-old man was arrested after he reportedly assaulted his wife and then attempted to burn their home down.
According to authorities, Christopher Defeis allegedly assaulted his wife after they argued at a family get together on New Year’s Eve.
Officials say a few hours later, firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire on 15th Street sometime around 5 a.m.
Investigating officers determined fire started in multiple places throughout the home and was ignited with an open flame
.
Officials say a firefighter was transported to an area hospital with second-degree burns to their forehead and hands.
Police arrested and charged Defeis with domestic violence simple assault, disorderly person, aggravated arson, aggravated assault and causing injury to a firefighter. He’s currently being held in Ocean County Jail until he has a detention hearing.