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Pleasantville man catches fire, arrested in Absecon arson probe


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A Pleasantville man was arrested after contributing to a fire that burned him under the Absecon Train Station bridge.

Police and fire responded to a call from NJ Transit employees worried about a brush fire near the train tracks, police said.

They found a man whose legs had caught fire, according to the report.

Owen Mastrocola, 52, refused help and disregarded orders, police said.

Officers were able to pull him to safety, but he continued to be uncooperative and resisted arrest.

Absecon's Arson Investigation Unit is investigating, but it has been determined that Matrocola contributed to the fire.

It was also discovered that numerous people are using the train bridge for shelter.

Mastrocola is charged with terroristic threats, obstructing, resisting arrest and other offenses.

In addition to Absecon police and fire, the Pleasantville Fire Department and the NJ State Fire Marshal Arson/K9 Unit assisted.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Arson Investigator Patrolman Keith Epstein at 609-641-0667, ext. 864.

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Information may also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-658-TIPS (8477) or text TIPCOP plus the information to 274637 (CRIMES).

author

Lynda Cohen

BreakingAC founder who previously worked in newspapers for more than two decades. She is an NJPA award-winner and was a Stories of Atlantic City fellow.

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