Bergen Mom Charged With Arson After Torching Apartment: Prosecutor

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Cliffside Park mother was charged with aggravated arson after she allegedly started a fire Tuesday in the 11-unit apartment building she lived at with her husband and two young children, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal said.

Laila Abualia was arrested after the prosecutor's office Arson Task Force and Arson Squad investigated the fire and determined it was started in Abualia's apartment in the bedroom and living room, Grewal said.

First responders discovered the fire inside the Day Avenue building and the superintendent, who was also there, reported that Abualia, Imad Awawda and their children, ages 3 and 5, lived in the apartment where the fire was, Grewal said.

The superintendent also reported seeing Abualia trying to leave the area in a tax cab when he arrived at the building, the prosecutor said. He was able to stop the taxi from leaving and Abualia gave her keys to him when he questioned her about the fire, Grewal said.

Abualia then left in the taxi with her children, Grewal said.

Abualia was charged with aggravated arson and endangering the welfare of a child. She appeared in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court Wednesday and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail without bail. She is scheduled to appear in Superior Court Monday before Judge Edward Jerejian.

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Laila Abualia of Cliffside Park — Bergen County Prosecutor's Office