By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on October 7, Charles Maulbeck, 51, of Toms River, was charged with Aggravated Arson in connection with a fire that occurred in Brick Township on September 13.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated on September 13, while on routine patrol, Brick Township Police Officers observed smoke and heavy fire coming from a residence on Falkenberg Road.
Three firefighters were injured during fire suppression efforts. Officials said that one of the firefighters declined medical attention at the scene, and two others were treated at a local medical facility and released.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted revealed that the fire originated on the north side of the split basement, officials say.
According to officials, the cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an unknown person or persons utilizing an open flame to available combustibles.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, and Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau continued to investigate and identified Maulbeck as the individual responsible for setting the fire, authorities say.
Officials stated that on October 7, Maulbeck was served with the charge on a complaint in the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged on an unrelated matter.