FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — A 56-year-old New Brunswick man has been charged with aggravated arson and other offenses after authorities allege he set fire to an apartment building in Franklin Township, displacing 15 people and killing two pets.
Perfecto Quintana, also known as Perfecto Quintana Montes, was arrested in connection with the fire, which was reported around 3:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, on Home Street in the Somerset section of the township, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
Franklin Township police responded to a report of an active residential fire at a building containing four apartments, one of which was on fire.
Firefighters from East Franklin, Community Volunteer, Somerset Fire and Rescue and the New Brunswick Fire Department responded and extinguished the one-alarm fire.
The fire damaged the building and displaced three families consisting of 11 adults and four juveniles, authorities said. No residents were reported injured.
A dog and cat were found inside the residence where the fire occurred. Efforts were made to provide care to the animals, but both were pronounced dead by Franklin Township Animal Control, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The American Red Cross responded to assist the displaced families with temporary shelter.
Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Fire Investigation Unit responded to investigate along with Franklin Township fire officials and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Authorities said a review of video surveillance led investigators to identify Quintana as a suspect.
According to the prosecutor’s office, video allegedly showed Quintana arriving at the residence in a vehicle before the fire and approaching the apartment building while carrying a container close to his body.
Authorities allege Quintana then walked up a staircase leading toward the apartment. A short time later, he was allegedly seen walking back down the staircase carrying what authorities described as a pitcher that appeared to be empty.
Quintana then returned to his vehicle and left the area, authorities said. Within minutes, Franklin Township police began receiving calls reporting a fire at the building.
During the investigation, people at the scene alerted police that Quintana was driving in the area, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Franklin Township police stopped Quintana and officers observed what authorities described as signs of intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to Franklin Township Police Department.
Quintana was charged with second-degree aggravated arson, second-degree residential burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree criminal contempt and two counts of fourth-degree animal cruelty.
He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100 or Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533.
Anonymous information, including photos and videos, can also be submitted through OPS Tips at SCPO.TIPS or through the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).
