Woman Intentionally Set Fire To Occupied 2-Family Home In Hunterdon Co., Prosecutor Says

RARITAN, NJ — A Raritan Township woman is charged with attempted murder for intentionally setting fire to a two-family home, said Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee Robeson and Raritan Township Police Chief Alfred Payne.

Laura Duran, 47, was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated arson, two counts of third-degree arson, and third-degree criminal mischief.

On Sept. 27 at around 10:45 p.m., Raritan Township Police were called to the 100 block of River Road to investigate a fire set intentionally at a multi-family home in the second-floor apartment of the home, said Robeson.

An investigation found that Duran, who lived in the second-floor apartment, purposely or knowingly started the fire, which caused significant structural damage to the home and placed occupants in danger of death, said Robeson.

"Aggravated arson is more than a crime against property - it is a crime against the person and, in this case, a personal invasion that endangered the lives, safety, and dignity of the victims in their own home. The joint investigation by my office, the Raritan Township Police Department, and the Raritan Township Fire Marshal represents the model coordinated approach to public safety that Hunterdon County deserves," said Robeson.

Duran is being held at the Warren County Correctional Center.

Duran faces a prison term between 10 and 20 years and a fine not to exceed $200,000 for the first-degree charge, and a prison term of 5 to 10 years and a fine not to exceed $150,000 for the second-degree charges. Additionally, she faces a prison term between 3 to 5 years and a fine not to exceed $15,000 for the third-degree charge.

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