LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Two vacant buildings caught fire on the same night, and police were able to determine that it was the same person who set these fires.
No one was hurt in either fire, police said. The first was an empty house at 1021 Radio Rd. just after midnight on July 8. This incident was investigated by the Little Egg Harbor Police department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit and High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CIU, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and NJ State Fire Marshall K9 Unit. This investigation found that the fire started in the northeast corner of the house, on the floor. The cause of the fire was combustible materials.
Further investigation revealed another fire that took place on the same night, but had not been reported. This was at 847 Radio Rd., an empty commercial building. This fire had gone out on its own.
Between video surveillance and other physical evidence, police identified the suspect as Phillip Harrison, 48, of Little Egg Harbor Township. He was charged with two counts of 2nd degree Aggravated Arson and two counts of 3rd degree Burglary.
He was arrested on July 14.
