Ship Bottom Man Charged With Aggravated Arson In Long Beach Blaze

LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, NJ - A Ship Bottom man has been charged with aggravated arson for breaking into a vacant home and setting a mattress on fire, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said.

Colin D. Kerlin, 28, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the Jan. 21 blaze at the unoccupied home at 8 West Scott Drive in the Holgate section of Long Beach Township. He was charged with second-degree arson and third-degree burglary, the prosecutor said.

The investigation began shortly after the fire broke out at 6:53 p.m. When police and area fire departments arrived, heavy smoke and flames were seen coming from the southeast side of the house. Witnesses reported seeing a white male running from the scene shortly after the fire was reported, Coronato said.

Authorities found that someone had forced their way into the home through a window on the west side of the home. The origin of the fire was determined to be on the top of a mattress in the master bedroom in the southeast corner of the home, he said.

The completed investigation determined that Kerlin removed a mattress from another room, placed it on top of the master bedroom bed, then ignited the mattress using a butane lighter, Coronato said.

Kerlin is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Arson Unit, Long Beach Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Photo: Courtesy of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.