Burlington County Man Stabbed Brother, Set Home On Fire: Cops

PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — An argument between two brothers ended with the younger being stabbed and the house they share being set on fire, according to local authorities.

Thomas E. Pearson, 55 of Pemberton, was arguing with his 52-year-old brother over the weekend. When they couldn’t resolve their argument, Pearson took the gas can from their garage and began pouring gas throughout the house, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Pemberton Township Police Chief David Jantas.

When Pearson began to light a fire, his brother attempted to stop him, authorities said. Pearson then stabbed his brother with a knife, according to authorities.

Pemberton police were summoned to the home for reports of a domestic dispute and an active house fire just after 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Pemberton Volunteer Fire Department was able to quickly subdue the fire, police said.

Pearson stabbed his brother in the area of his ribs, according to the prosecutor's office. As of Thursday, his brother was hospitalized in stable condition.

Pearson was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated arson, third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

Pearson has been placed in the Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing later this week. The case will then be sent to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment.