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The Lincoln Avenue homeowner was “visibly upset,” “very agitated” and trying to get firefighters to leave when police arrived just before 9:30 p.m.
“Due to the fact that there was a light smoke condition emanating from the house, the homeowner was advised to calm down and let the Fire Department proceed with their investigation,” Police Chief David Pegg said this afternoon. “He then started yelling at his wife for calling emergency services.”
Interviewing the man, Maywood Police Officer Chris Nichols smelled gasoline on him, Pegg said.
He apparently “was using lighter fluid and gasoline on his kitchen table when it got out of control,” the chief said. “He was able to extinguish most of the fire before the arrival of the Fire Department and felt it was unnecessary for them to even be there.”
Although an investigation was continuing, Pegg said his detectives conferred with members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Arson Unit and determined the incident “does not appear to be criminal in nature.”
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