Man Set Fire To Perth Amboy Home With "Gallons Of Gasoline:" Witnesses, Police

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — New details have been released about a Perth Amboy man who police say set fire to a residential home last Tuesday night. Five people were inside at the time, including a two-month-old baby.

This happened last Tuesday, June 10 at a home on Prospect Street in Perth Amboy. Gerardo Rosario-Vasquez, 46, barged into the home carrying gallons of gasoline, said witnesses.

Two people were the most seriously injured when he started the fire, and both had to be flown by helicopter to a hospital, where they remain in critical condition in intensive care, said family of the victims.

"Around 10 p.m. a men forced entry at my mother's home with gallons of gas in attempt to murder," read this GoFundMe created to help the victims. "My mother, brother, sister, brother-in-law along with their 2-month-old baby, our dog and my uncle were home. He started a fire inside the home, where my family member suffered from severe (sic) burn injuries."

The woman said her two-month-old niece and uncle were not injured.

However: "My sister and brother-in-law received second-degree burns, but were discharged and are currently recovering. Unfortunately my mom and my brother had to be transferred to a hospital by helicopter and are both in intensive care unit in critical condition. My mother received 20 percent burn damage to her body in the third degree. My brother received 35 percent burn damage in a third degree, starting at his face along with inhaling smoke and unable to breathe on his own as of now."

"We ask any of you that can help to please do so, anything helps," she wrote. "This will be covering all medical expenses and all surgeries they will need."

Rosario-Vasquez was taken into police custody and is charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated arson and first-degree home invasion. He is presently in custody at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, as he was also burned starting the fire, said officials.

A 25-year-old man, 25-year-old woman, a 29-year-old man, 49-year-old woman and a 2-month-old baby girl were all inside the home when Rosario-Vasquez started the fire, said police.

This case was investigated by Detective Pablo Vargas of the Perth Amboy Police Department and Detective Kevin Schroeck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Original report last week: Man Set Fire To Perth Amboy Home, Injuring 5 People, Including Baby (June 13)