Stephen M Jones, 24, was rescued from the roof then charged with arson, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said.
Nearly 80 firefighters responded to an Abinger Place home around 3:30 p.m. The blaze had climbed to a second alarm around 3:45 p.m.
The fire was under control just before 4:15 p.m.
Jones and a firefighter were each transported to University Hospital for treatment of burns. Jones suffered burns to his hands and the firefighter sustained burns to his neck.
Four adults and one child were relocated.
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