Deal House Fire Started By Burglar Who Lit Candle, Left It Burning: PD

DEAL, NJ — The Asbury Park man accused of breaking into a Deal home early Sunday, and starting a fire inside, told police he smoked marijuana inside the home and lit a candle, which is believed to have started the fire that destroyed the residence.

This is according to an affidavit released Thursday by the Monmouth County Prosecutor.

This was the fire that broke out in the 6 a.m. hour in a private home on Lady Bess Drive in Deal. The fire quickly consumed the two-story home; when Deal Police and firefighters got there at 6:31 a.m., they found the home fully engulfed in flames. It was determined to be completely destroyed.

The home's owners were not home at the time.

Nasyr-Alaire Fisher, 20, of Asbury Park, was arrested by a Deal Police officer a short time later Sunday morning; he was found walking near the Allenhurst train station in town. According to the affidavit, he was taken to Deal Police headquarters, where he waived his Miranda rights. He told police officers he broke into the home at around 6 a.m. Sunday. He told officers he smoked marijuana in the house and lit a candle inside a closet in a bedroom, where he found a set of keys to the home, police said.

He told police he left the candle burning inside the closet.

A set of keys that belonged to the homeowners was found on Fisher's property, said police.

Additionally, as Fisher was handcuffed and being booked, he "began slamming his head against the wall" while seated on the booking room bench, causing "multiple dents in the sheetrock," police said. Fisher was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

He was treated and released from the hospital and brought back to Deal Police headquarters to be processed. After being processed, Fisher again became combative toward officers, said police.

Fisher was charged with arson, burglary and other charges, including assaulting a police officer.

Initial Patch report: Asbury Park Man Set Fire To Deal Home, Prosecutor Alleges (Monday)