A Toms River man who started the fire at a business on Cross Street in Lakewood on Wednesday morning has been charged with Aggravated Arson, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced on Thursday.

The man became irate at being fired from the business in Lakewood he had been working at and in the middle of the night used an open flame to set fire to cardboard and paper in the basement -- setting off the sprinkler system.

An investigation following the fire by Lakewood Police Detectives along with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office and Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit led to the determination of how the fire started shortly before 2:00 am Wednesday.

Firefighters were able to douse the flames in the basement.

When they learned who did it, Jorge Euxaque-Ballesteros, 25, of Toms River, was arrested later in the day on Wednesday and charged with Aggravated Arson as well as Burglary.

Euxaque-Ballesteros was arrested in Toms River by OCPO Arson Squad Detectives and Lakewood Police.

Following processing at Lakewood Police headquarters, Euxaque-Ballesteros was brought to the  Ocean County Jail where he remains pending a detention hearing.

(Photo Courtesy: Ocean County Prosecutors Office)
(Photo Courtesy: Ocean County Prosecutors Office)
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