Trenton firefighters were alerted to the fire at 3:30 a.m. Saturday in the 700 block of William Street near Cedar Lane.
TRENTON -- A fire that damaged a William Street duplex early Saturday was set by a man who earlier in the night had a dispute with a resident of the home, police said Sunday.
Trenton firefighters were alerted to the fire at about 3:30 a.m. in the 700 block of William Street near Cedar Lane. They had the flames under control in about 25 minutes, but found the cause suspicious.
File photoInvestigators connected the fire to a domestic incident earlier Friday night into Saturday.
A Trenton police spokesman said a man and woman had a domestic dispute in Hamilton and Hamilton police were called and issued an arrest warrant for the man on domestic assault charges.
The female victim later met with friends in a Trenton bar, where some friends were consoling her. One of the consolers was a male friend, police said.
At the bar, the male domestic suspect showed up and again had words with the victim, but the male friend got into a altercation the suspect. Police did not immediately identify the parties.
The domestic suspect left the bar, but later texted the female victim saying he knew where her male friend lived and texted something like, "Tell him I'm gonna set his crib on fire."
RELATED: Fire in vacant Trenton home put out quickly
Trenton police recovered several texts allegedly sent by the man they suspect of setting the fire.
The male friend lives with his girlfriend and others in the William Street residence. Trenton police believe the man who started the fire set the porch ablaze and it spread inside.
The home is a duplex and the vacant side of the home was damaged more than the occupied side.
Still, Trenton police say five residents were left temporarily homeless by the fire. They include a 1-month-old baby, a 5-year-old child, a 14-year-old and two adults. The American Red Cross is assisting the residents.
Trenton police did not identify the domestic suspect turned alleged arsonist for investigative purposes. He is wanted for domestic charges in Hamilton and now aggravated arson in Trenton.
The fire was investigated by Trenton police detectives, the Trenton Fire Department's Fire Marshal Unit the Mercer County Proescutor's Office.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
