Jersey City woman charged with aggravated arson after underpass fire endangered sleeping man
Authorities say a 57-year-old man escaped after a woman allegedly fueled a fire beneath the Tonnelle Avenue underpass and tried to prevent him from leaving.
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A Jersey City woman has been charged with aggravated arson and other offenses after police say she set a fire beneath the Tonnelle Avenue underpass while a man was sleeping nearby.
The fire was reported at about 2:39 p.m. Sunday near 276 Tonnelle Ave., where responding officers found flames beneath the underpass as Jersey City firefighters worked to contain the blaze, according to city officials.
Investigators said a 57-year-old man was sleeping in a confined area behind a guardrail when he awoke to the fire. As he tried to extinguish the flames with his feet, he allegedly saw a woman pour an unknown liquid onto the fire, causing it to spread.
Authorities said the woman then attempted to prevent the man from escaping and calling for help. The victim was not seriously injured by the fire but may have been assaulted while trying to flee. He declined medical treatment at the scene.
Police issued a be-on-the-lookout alert with the suspect’s description. Officers arrested Janet Leigh Mullone, 23, of Jersey City, after she returned to the scene at about 8:32 p.m., officials said.
Mullone is charged with aggravated arson, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and criminal restraint.
