On 6/23/18 at 1:49a.m., Newton Police responded to 33 Mill Street for a reported fire on the 2nd floor of the high rise complex.
Upon arrival, a smoke condition was found on the 2nd floor and Ptl. Michael Wolanski and Ptl. Mahir Kaylani entered the apartment and were able to extinguish the fire. As a safety precaution, residents were also evacuated from the building.
Newton Fire Department responded and confirmed that the fire was out and ventilated the apartment. Sussex County Fire Marshal responded and deemed the fire as suspicious.
A subsequent cooperative investigation led to the arrest of the apartment’s tenant, Simrah Siddiqui, age 24, for the following offenses:
N.J.S. 2C:17-1 Arson (3rd Degree)
N.J.S. 2C:17-3 Criminal Mischief (4th Degree)
Siddiqui was served with a summons and the case is pending an upcoming appearance in Sussex County Superior Court.
Officers/Agencies Involved:
Ptl. Michael Wolanski, Ptl. Mahir Kaylani, Detective Thomas Tosti, Sgt. Steve Benson
Sussex County Prosecutor’s Detective Thomas Laird
Newton Fire Department
Sussex County Fire Marshall Virgil Rome