Morganville Woman Set Marlboro Fire That Killed Pets, Police Say

MARLBORO, NJ — A Morganville woman was arrested this weekend and charged in connection with setting a fire early Sunday morning at her family's townhouse, a blaze that killed the family's cat and a dog.

Suzanne Demo, 20, lived in the home where she allegedly set the fire. Demo had been arguing with a family member, police told Patch. She was accused of starting a fire in the master bedroom of the home, according to a criminal complaint of her arrest.

Demo was charged with one count of aggravated arson, two counts of aggravated assault with a weapon and two counts of animal cruelty, among other charges. Prior to allegedly starting the fire, she allegedly attacked a family member, stabbing them multiple times in the arms with a knife, a box cutter and finally a pair of scissors, police said.

Marlboro police called the fire "suspicious" from the very start of the investigation.

The fire broke out at 3:24 a.m. on Roseberry Court located in the Point DeJardin townhome community in the Morganville section. When police got there, the second floor of the condo was entirely engulfed in flames.

Police and firefighters helped the residents flee the burning home, but a search inside — after the flames were extinguished — revealed the lifeless bodies of a family dog and cat. Both animals died of smoke inhalation.

As of Monday morning, Demo is currently at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute in Freehold pending court proceedings.

The Robertsville Fire Department, Morganville Fire Department and the Gordons Corner Road Fire Department were able to contain the fire to the single townhome unit.

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