Man Set Fire That Injured Firefighter In Ocean County, Authorities Say

PLUMSTED, NJ — A Plumsted Township man is accused of setting a fire at a home in the township on Saturday that injured a firefighter, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Matthew Waldman, 21, has been charged with aggravated arson, arson, two counts of burglary, and aggravated assault on a firefighter, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Subscribe

The fire was reported about 4:30 p.m. at a home on Maple Avenue, authorities said.

The property was abandoned. The fire was burning throughout a detached garage at the back of the property, authorities said.

A firefighter battling the blaze suffered injuries to her hand; she was transported to Capital Health at Deborah in Browns Mills where she was treated and subsequently released, the prosecutor's office said.

Investigators learned Waldman had been illegally staying in the house near the detached garage, and determined he had set the fire.

Waldman was charged on Sunday and arrested, and as of Monday afternoon remained in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing, according to the prosecutor's office and jail records.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Plumsted Township Police , Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office, and Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit are investigating.