Charles Maulbeck, 51, was charged with aggravated arson, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Brick Township police saw smoke and heavy fire at a home on Falkenberg Road on Friday, Sept. 13. Two firefighters were treated and released from a nearby hospital, while a third declined medical attention.
Investigators said the fire started in the north side of the home's split basement by someone who used "an open flame to available combustibles." Maulbeck was identified as the person who started the fire.
Maulbeck was given his arson charge on Monday, Oct. 7 while in the Ocean County Jail in an unrelated case.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Metuchen and receive free news updates.