Mahwah Woman Injures Self In Fire Set To Condo, Charged With Arson: PD

MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah woman stands accused of intentionally setting a fire inside her own condo, according to authorities.

Amel Mersali, 32, was charged with aggravated arson in connection with the smoky fire Tuesday at the Hawthorne Lane apartment home, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Wednesday.

Mersali was also hospitalized with self-injury as a result of the 4 p.m. blaze, which was found coming from the bedroom and ultimately suppressed by the Mahwah Fire Department, Musella and a complaint said.

She had — according to the complaint — ignited the fire using flammable liquid inside the multi-unit condo, and thereby placed herself and other residents at risk. She also, the complaint added, made a statement to police that the above-mentioned facts were true.

The Mahwah woman was additionally charged with causing or risking widespread injury or damage, and will be scheduled for an initial court appearance upon her release from the hospital, the prosecutor's office said.

On Tuesday evening, the prosecutor's office tweeted that its Major Crimes Unit and Mahwah Police were investigating the fire. No further details were released.