Lakewood Man Set Fire To Ex-Girlfriend's Bed: Police

LAKEWOOD, NJ – A Lakewood man has been charged with arson after he allegedly set fire to his ex-girlfriend's bed, causing a townhouse fire early Sunday, police said.

Alfredo Hernandez Martinez, 33, of Lakewood, was arrested Tuesday, Lakewood Detective Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith said.

He said firefighters were called to a fire at a Michelle Way townhouse shortly after midnight on Jan. 7.

The fire was discovered when the resident returned home and found thick, black smoke coming from the third floor, Staffordsmith said. The woman and her boyfriend left the house but suffered some smoke inhalation, he said. The two were taken to a local hospital for treatment, he said.

Firefighters at the scene found reason to believe the fire may have been set intentionally, Staffordsmith said, so investigators from the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office initiated an arson investigation, and evidence recovered at the scene confirmed firefighters' suspicions, he said.

Further investigation by Lakewood Detective Pete Aakjer and Detectives John Doran and Chris Bonner from the prosecutor's office led to the arrest of Martinez, who was the woman's ex-boyfriend, Staffordsmith said.

Evidence revealed that Martinez entered the home and set fire by turning on a hair dryer and then placing it under her bed sheets, and then left, Staffordsmith said.

Martinez has been charged with aggravated arson and burglary under the Domestic Violence Act. He is being held at the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, according to the Ocean County Corrections website.

Alfredo Hernandez Martinez, photo via the Ocean County Corrections website