Atlantic City, NJ – The Atlantic City Police Department has apprehended a woman believed to be responsible for igniting a three-alarm fire that resulted in the displacement of multiple residents.
On Wednesday, at 1:01 PM, emergency personnel responded to a structure fire at the 1500 block of Belfield Avenue. The affected structure comprised a series of row homes with several units. At the time of the fire, the building was occupied, and the courageous efforts of first responders led to the rescue of approximately 10 residents. Three individuals required medical attention and were treated at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division.
Five homes were burned. Ten people were rescued and five were hospitalized.
Following the incident, a collaborative investigation was launched, involving the Atlantic City police and fire departments, as well as the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. Testimonies from witnesses revealed that a woman had deliberately used an accelerant on multiple porches to initiate the fire. Acting upon the provided information, investigators successfully identified the suspect as Monica Parish.
Assistance was sought from the NJ Division of Fire Safety, whose accelerant-detection K9 unit indicated the presence of accelerant in several areas of the scene.
On June 22, an anonymous individual alerted security personnel at the Atlantic County Office Building on Atlantic Avenue that the individual responsible for the fire was present in the building. Officers Elijah Johnson and Giovanni Berardis responded to the scene, where security personnel identified Parish. She was apprehended and interviewed by investigators. At the conclusion of the interview, Parish was charged with arson.
The investigation was led by Sergeant Matthew Cocuzza of the police department and Captain Stephen Kohler of the fire department.
Mayor Marty Small, Sr. of Atlantic City expressed his admiration for the city’s first responders, stating, “Our First Responders are the best in the world, and this week is a perfect example why.” He commended the bravery exhibited by the Atlantic City Fire Department and the Atlantic City Police Department, highlighting their prompt actions in saving lives and swiftly determining the cause of the fire. Mayor Small assured the community that public safety remains a top priority.
Fire Chief Scott Evans of Atlantic City also praised the exceptional efforts of the firefighters and expressed his pride in their heroic actions during the challenging incident. He acknowledged the valiant efforts of the Atlantic City Police Department and all first responders involved in the incident.