The suspect, Leonard Jones, 50, allegedly started the fire around 3 a.m. at a residence on Old Beekman Road in Middlesex County, said South Brunswick Township Police.
How the fire was extinguished
Authorities were initially called when Jones refused to leave the premises after the dispute with his girlfriend.While officers were en route, a second 911 call alerted them to the fire, which engulfed the single-family home. Several fire companies responded promptly to extinguish the flames.
All four residents, including Jones, inside the home escaped unharmed, authorities reported.
Neighbor describes the incident
Neighbor Elise Campanella described the scene as intense and alarming.
“It was quite extensive, and my fear was that it would spread from the trees and then fall on top of my house. It was insane,” Campanella told News 12 New Jersey.
Charges against the suspect
Jones was detained at the scene and now faces charges of aggravated arson and domestic violence, as detailed by the South Brunswick Township Police Department.
Social media reacts to the incident
The fire incident is attracting attention from social media users, with some calling the boyfriend a ‘psychopath’ and others labeling him a “crazy dude” who took trust issues to another level. One X user expressed concern that such incidents are becoming habitual in America, stating, “It’s not a shocking story in America anymore.”
Another user highlighted the need for therapy and professional help for mental health issues, saying, “Every year our government downplays mental health, and as medication costs rise, fewer people can get the care they need. This is our biggest problem, not guns. People need free therapy and professional help to clear their minds.”