On January 2nd, 2019 the Ocean County Prosecutor made an announcement about a structure fire that happened on January 1st 2019 at approximately 5:00am.

Multiple Toms River Fire Departments responded to a structure fire at 42 15th street in Toms River to conduct fire suppression. Once at the scene, firefighters attempted a search and rescue believing there were still occupants inside the home but it was determined that no one was actually trapped inside.

One of the residents, identified as 45 year-old Christopher Defeis was found in a vehicle parked in the driveway, sleeping.

the Arson Task Force from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office along with the Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, Tom’s River Bureau of Fire Prevention, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s K-9 Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit made the determination that the fire had multiple points of origin and was ignited by a person or persons using an open flame to an ignitable liquid.

Upon further investigation it was revealed that Defis and his wife had attended a part at a family member’s residence earlier that evening where Defeis got into an argument with his wife and assaulted her. He then left the family member’s residence and returned to his own home. During the investigation it was also revealed that Defeis had poured gasoline throughout the kitchen, dining room, and family room of the home before igniting the gasoline and exiting the residence to return to his vehicle parked in the driveway.

2nd Degree burns were suffered by one firefighter from Toms River and he was transported to Ocean Medical Center in brick for treatment to the burns on his hands and forehead.

Defeis was arrested  and charged with:

  • Domestic Violence
  • Simple Assault
  • a Disorderly Person’s Offense
  • Aggravated Arson 2nd Degree
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Causing or Creating an Injury to a Firefighter 3rd Degree

Defeis was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he was logged pending a detention hearing.

Please remember, that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

For an alternate reporting of this story, visit Jersey Shore Online