GOSHEN – Middle Township Police Department received a 911 call Aug. 30 that there was a structure fire at the Goshen Group Home, 119 State Highway 47.
Dispatch was advised by the caller that seven occupants were safely out of the building but, there was one occupant inside refusing to leave.
Upon officers’ arrival, Sgt. Clint Stocker and Patrolman Ron Miller entered the residence to find the interior filled with smoke. Upon checking the interior, officers found James Dolan, 54, in a bathroom attached to his bedroom.
A portion of his bedroom was in flames along with a portion of his bathroom.
When officers approached Dolan, he had a cigarette lighter in his hand and was allegedly attempting to light the bathroom window curtain on fire.
Dolan began to struggle with the officers and had to be physically removed from the residence because he was refusing to leave.
Treated by members of the Middle Township Rescue Squad, he was subsequently transported to the Cape Regional Medical Center for smoke inhalation and evaluation.
The Goshen and Middle Township fire departments extinguished the blaze. The occupants of the residence were relocated due to the property being severely damaged to the point where it could no longer be occupied.
The incident is under investigation by Miller, Detective Jack Trombetta of the Middle Township Police Department, and Deputy Fire Marshal Rich Harron of the Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Dolan was charged with two counts of aggravated arson, second degree and bail was set at $300,000 by Municipal Court Judge Dorothy Garrabrant. Dolan is currently at Cape Regional Medical Center.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This report is based on information received from law enforcement.
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