A 62-year-old woman accused of setting a borough home on fire was arrested and charged with arson.
Firefighters were called to 541 West Westfield Avenue shortly after 3:30 a.m. for a report of a fire with an allegedly trapped female.
Responding officers arrived to a heavy smoke condition within the rear interior portion of the home while a woman, later identified as Pamela H. Zimic, 62, was observed sitting on the roof top of the first floor.
Zimic was rescued and transported to St. Barnabas Hospital for minor burns to her face, head and smoke inhalation treatment.
At this point, Zimic allegedly told police she intentionally started the fire at the home where an eviction process was recently initiated by the landlord.
During a search of the home, two cats were found. One was turned over to animal control for treatment while the other cat did not survive the fire.
Further investigation by the Roselle Park Police Department and the Union County Fire Investigator Task Force, the fire was deemed to be arson.
Zimic was released from hospital and formally charged with 2nd degree aggravated arson. Her bail was set at $75,000.