TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY
Chris Sheldon
NJ Advance Media Group, Edison, N.J.
A man accused of setting fire to a Newark home Wednesday had to be rescued from the burning building after he fled to its roof, authorities said.
Stephen M. Jones, 24, of Newark was charged with arson following his rescue, according to a statement fromNewark Public Safety DirectorAnthony F. Ambrose.
The incident unfolded shortly after 3:30 p.m. when firefighters responded to a house on Abinger Place for a call of a fire, Ambrose said.
Nearly 80 firefighters responded as the fire was upgraded to a second alarm just over minutes later and that’s when Jones was seen fleeing to the home’s roof, police said. Crews were able to rescue him and he was immediately arrested.
The alleged arsonist and a firefighter were each transported to University Hospital for treatment of their injuries, authorities said. Jones suffered burns to his hands and the firefighter sustained burns to his neck.
No other injuries were reported.
The blaze was brought under control at 4:14 p.m. and four adults and one child had to be relocated, Ambrose said.
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Chris Sheldon may be reached atcsheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
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