NJ Man Torches Home Injuring Firefighter, Killing 3 Pets, Cops Say

SPARTA, NJ — A Sussex County man has been arrested for setting his home ablaze, killing three cats and injuring one firefighter, police said.

Samuel Kirkpatrick, 45, of Sparta, now faces several charges for his role in the structure fire.

On Nov. 21, around 2:30 p.m., police and firefighters responded to a report of a house fire at 194 Springbrook Trail.

First responders arrived to find Kirkpatrick standing outside his burning home, screaming profanities at bystanders, police said.

As firefighters attempted to put out the fire, police ordered Kirkpatrick to step away from the blaze, but he refused, according to authorities.

Police were eventually able to arrest Kirkpatrick, who is believed to have intentionally set the fire, officials said.

Three domestic cats were in the home when it burned, and they did not survive, according to police.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries while attempting to suppress the flames, police added.

Kirkpatrick is charged with two counts of aggravated arson, criminal mischief, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with force, and three counts of failing to provide care to a living animal by causing the death of three domestic cats.

He was taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility to await court proceedings.