Blaze caused 'extensive damage,' according to fire official
HACKENSACK -- Three men are accused of setting a fire at a vacant Closter house in a scheme to collect insurance money from the blaze, authorities said Thursday.
Terrence Philippi, 67, of Hasbrouck Heights, Sean Halvorsen, 25, of Wallington, and Zachary Rosario, 20, of Ridgefield Park, were each charged with arson for hire, aggravated arson and insurance fraud in connection with the Oct. 10 fire, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal said in a statement.
Philippi owned the single-family Closter Dock Road house, according to authorities.
There were no injuries, but the fire caused "extensive damage," Closter Fire Marshal Kevin Whitey told NJ Advance Media at the time. Crews contained the fire in about 45 minutes.
Grewal said the charges stemmed from a joint probe by the prosecutor's major crimes unit, arson squad and borough police.
The three alleged arsonists were ordered held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $250,000 full bail, the prosecutor added.
PSA FIRE ALERT: Patrol units received a report of flames shooting from a residence on Closter Dock Road at approximately...
Posted by Closter Police Department on Saturday, October 10, 2015
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