FROM: BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR JOHN L. MOLINELLI
DATE: JANUARY 16, 2010
Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli announced today the arrest of Eugene M. Crawford, unemployed, 50 years old of 12 Sienna Way, Oakland, New Jersey. The arrest is for charges related to a residential fire and explosion which occurred at 12 Sienna Way. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Oakland Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Arson Squad.
The Oakland Police and Fire Departments were notified by neighbors via 9-1-1 calls at 9:10 a.m. of a house fire at the residence. Responding police and fire units arrived to find the house fully involved in fire, and just after their arrival an explosion occurred which completely destroyed the house. Numerous fire departments from surrounding towns were called and assisted with fighting the fire. Upon their arrival, first responding officers found Eugene Crawford on the front lawn, with difficulty breathing from smoke inhalation. He was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center.
The investigation revealed that the fire was intentionally set in the basement by lighting common household combustibles which had been piled under the natural gas meter. As the fire grew, the natural gas buildup caused the explosion. Numerous interviews conducted by detectives developed probable cause to believe that Eugene Crawford set the fire with the intent to cause the explosion. Mr. Crawford has been medically cleared and is currently charged with Second Degree Arson for Unlawfully Causing an Explosion and Third Degree Arson for purposely starting a fire. His bail has been set by the Honorable Peter Melchionne, J.S.C. at $200,000.00, no ten percent, and a first appearance has not yet been set.
Prosecutor Molinelli states that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would like to thank the members of the Oakland Police Department, as well as the involved Fire Departments, for their assistance and cooperation.