BRICK – An Ocean County man has been charged for starting a fire in the basement of a home, causing three injuries, authorities said.
On September 13, police officers found smoke and heavy fire coming from a home on Falkenberg Road while on routine patrol.
While suppressing the fire, three firefighters became injured. One of the firefighters declined medical attention at the scene, and two others were treated at a local medical facility and released, officials said.
Investigators determined that the fire originated in the north side of the split basement. The cause of the fire was determined to be “incendiary by an unknown person or persons utilizing an open flame to available combustibles,” officials said.
Authorities later identified Charles Maulbeck, 51, of Toms River as the individual responsible for setting the fire.
On October 7, Maulbeck was served with the charge on a complaint in the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged on an unrelated matter.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
