Toms River Man Charged With Setting Fire Late Monday Night In Toms River
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
TOMS RIVER, NJ.- On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a 59-year-old Toms River, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and charged in connection with a house fire that occurred late Monday night in Toms River Township, New Jersey.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, on Monday, April 14, 2025, shortly around 11:00 p.m., members of the Toms River Township Police Department and the Toms River Township Fire Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a house fire located in the Winteringham Village Apartments in Toms River Township, New Jersey.
Police Officers And Firefighters Find Fire Extinguished
Upon arrival, Police Officers and Firefighters found the fire had been extinguished. During an investigation, Detectives of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, the Toms River Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau, and Toms River Township Fire Officials determined that the fire originated in the living room of the apartment. Investigators further determined that the cause of the fire was set by an unknown individual using an open flame to an ignitable liquid.
During further investigation, Detectives and investigators determined that Kevin Funchess, 59, of Toms River, New Jersey, was responsible for setting the fire. Accordingly, during the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Funchess was taken into custody at the scene and formally charged with one count of Aggravated Arson.
While being processed on the charge, Funchess became short of breath and was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment. After being medically cleared, Funchess will be transferred to the Ocean County Jail, pending future court proceedings in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River, New Jersey.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”