Egg Harbor City Man Charged With Murders, Arson in Wednesday House Fire

An Egg Harbor City man has been charged with the murder of a woman and her child in a suspicious house fire that took place on Wednesday, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced on Friday.

Joseph F. Palmer III, 38, also lived with the two unidentified people he is accused of killing.

He was charged with the murders of the woman and the child, as well as aggravated arson for setting fire to the residence with the purpose of destroying it.

At about 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, Egg Harbor City Police, Mullica Township Police, and firefighters from the Egg Harbor City Volunteer Fire Department and the South Egg Harbor Volunteer Fire Company responded to a residential structure fire on the 200 block of Washington Avenue, Egg Harbor City.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and discovered the bodies inside the home.

Palmer was found outside the home. was treated for injuries and transported by AtlantiCare ambulance personnel and paramedics to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Division.

Palmer was arrested Friday afternoon, upon his release from the hospital.