N.J. EMS supervisor fails sobriety test at house fire

An emergency medical services supervisor in Camden County was arrested Thursday night after he allegedly showed up intoxicated at a fire scene, police said.

Thomas Eden Sr., 48, chief of the Gloucester Township EMS Alliance, responded to a domestic violence incident in which a man barricaded himself inside a house in the 2800 block of Erial Road in the township and set it on fire, police said. Police responded at 8:26 p.m. and the EMS Alliance also was called to the scene.

After Eden arrived in his marked EMS command vehicle, other emergency responders told police that he appeared to be intoxicated, police said. Eden failed a field sobriety test.

Eden was charged with driving while intoxicated, and using or being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. He was released on his own recognizance to a family member, police said. Eden could not be reached for comment Friday night.

The incident is being investigated by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and has been referred to the New Jersey Department of Health's Office of Emergency Medical Services.

The man who barricaded himself and set the fire, Vincent Serrano, 34, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, aggravated arson, terroristic threats, and resisting arrest.

He was taken to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Stratford with injuries related to smoke inhalation. Serrano has a history of "outbursts," police said.