Furloughed IRS worker accused of setting fire to vacant N.J. home

A furloughed Internal Revenue Service employee is accused of setting fire to a vacant home in Harrison Township, N.J. Thursday night.

Michael T. Keating, 30, allegedly broke into the unoccupied ranch home at 612 Mullica Hill Road around 6 p.m.

Once inside, he set a fire that completely destroyed the property, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.

As fire companies from Harrison Township and Pitman fought the blaze, one firefighter suffered hand injuries that required stitches, prosecutors said.

Keating was arrested at his Washington Township home about three hours later and charged with aggravated arson and burglary. A possible motive was not immediately disclosed.

Investigators seized a motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime and are awaiting the approval of a search warrant to inspect the vehicle, officials said.

Keating is also charged with theft for allegedly stealing a chair from the vacant home.

He remained imprisoned Saturday at the Gloucester County Jail on $100,000 bail.