Menlo Park Terrace Fire Determined to be Arson

A man who died in a house fire Thursday had lost the home to foreclosure, and authorities say he ignited the fatal blaze.

Robert Nass started the fire at 33 Jefferson Road, authorities say, one day after a deed was filed for the new owners of the property, who purchased the house in a sheriff's sale, according to Middlesex County records.

Longtime township volunteer firefighter Bruce Turcotte suffered a heart attack at the scene of the fire and later died.

Nass intentionally set the basement of the Cape Cod-style house on fire, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan, in a joint statement with Woodbridge police Director Robert Hubner.

Officials would not comment on Nass' motives. An autopsy determined he died of smoke inhalation, Kaplan said.

Nass had inherited the house from a late relative, Barbara Kerrigan, according to the court papers.

As investigators were determining the cause of the blaze, funeral plans were being completed for Turcotte, 58, who served 40 years with the township's Hopelawn Engine Company No. 1, and was a former chief and commissioner for the company.

His son, Brian, a company chief, was at the scene when his father became ill.

Arrangements are being handled by the Mitruska Funeral Home, New Brunswick Avenue. Viewings will be Monday 7 to 9 p.m., and Tuesday 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Our Lady of Peace Church in Fords, said Firefighter William Hedegus.