Man Accused Of Intentionally Setting Fire To Somerset County Home: Prosecutor

MANVILLE, NJ — A Manville man was arrested after authorities said he intentionally set fire to a home in the borough.

Paul Basta, 25, of Manville, was charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated arson., announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Manville Borough Police Department Officer In Charge Lieutenant Craig Jeremiah.

On May 15 at around 3:43 a.m., a 911 call reported a residential fire in Manville. Authorities are not disclosing where the home was located in the borough.

When the Manville Fire Department got to the scene to extinguish the fire they requested help from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit.

An investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit and Major Crimes Unit, Manville Police Detectives, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s office K-9 found that Basta was suspected of intentionally setting fire to a home in the Borough of Manville, said McDonald.

On Aug. 16, Basta was arrested at his home and charged with 2 counts of second-degree aggravated arson.

Basta was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Manville Police Department at 908-725-1900 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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