A New Brunswick man, identified as 56-year-old Perfecto Quintana, has been charged with setting a fire in a Franklin Township apartment building that resulted in the displacement of three families and the deaths of two pets. The fire occurred on Home Street around 3:45 p.m. on Friday and prompted a response from multiple fire departments.
Quintana was captured on surveillance footage arriving at the scene with what appeared to be a container, which was later seen empty as he left the area shortly before the blaze was reported. Fortunately, no residents were injured, and the American Red Cross provided assistance for temporary shelter. Authorities arrested Quintana when he was spotted nearby, and he now faces several charges, including aggravated arson and animal cruelty. He is being held at the Somerset County Jail pending a court appearance.
The investigation involved various local authorities, including the Franklin Township Police and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office.
