The homeowner became so enraged that he pushed an officer, police said. Watch video
OCEAN TWP. — A homeowner whose house was destroyed by a raging inferno Sunday night was arrested after he refused to stay away from the active fire scene, police said.
Victor Malgeri, 57, ignored officers' orders to stay away from the scene and became so enraged, that he pushed an officer, according to a news release from the Ocean Township police.
He was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.
Police responded shortly before 8 p.m. to the home on Hartshorne Road for a report of a fire.
Officer Kevin Redmond was the first to arrive, and saw heavy black smoke emanating from the residence.
Redmond located one of the home's residents, Nicholas Kagabines, who was outside the home and told the officer that no one else was inside.
Redmond checked the rest of the home and saw flames in the rear of the house shooting from the kitchen area.
The fire, which appears to have started in the kitchen, destroyed the two-floor residence, police said.
No injuries were reported in the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Ocean Township Fire Marshal Craig Flannigan and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal's Office. Ocean Township Detective Jeff Malone is also assisting in the investigation.
Firefighters from Oakhurst, Wanamassa and Tinton Falls fire departments worked to extinguish the flames, which completely engulfed the home's structure.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.