By: Tracie Carter
A Perth Amboy man is facing serious charges after a residential fire left five people hospitalized, including a two-month-old infant, according to information released by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Authorities said that around 10:09 p.m. on June 10, emergency responders were called to a home on Prospect Street in Perth Amboy following reports of a structure fire.
Firefighters from the Perth Amboy Fire Department, along with personnel from both the Middlesex County and Perth Amboy Fire Marshal’s Offices, responded quickly and extinguished the flames.
Five residents—two men, two women, and a baby girl—were rescued from the home and transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for burn injuries and smoke inhalation.
Thankfully, no emergency personnel were injured during the response.
An investigation by Perth Amboy Police Detective Pablo Vargas, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Kevin Schroeck, and local and county fire officials revealed that 46-year-old Gerardo Rosario-Vasquez unlawfully entered the residence and intentionally set the fire.
Rosario-Vasquez has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree home invasion, and second-degree aggravated arson.
He is currently in custody at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Vargas at 732-324-3805 or Detective Schroeck at 732-745-4054.