A 21-year-old Plumsted Township man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fire at an abandoned property that left a firefighter injured on Saturday afternoon.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Sunday that Matthew Waldman, 21, faces charges of aggravated arson, arson, two counts of burglary, and aggravated assault on a firefighter following the October 10 incident.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Plumsted Township police and firefighters responded to an abandoned residence on Maple Avenue after receiving reports of a structure fire. Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered flames spreading throughout a detached garage behind the residence.

While battling the fire, a female firefighter suffered a hand injury and was transported to Capital Health at Deborah in Browns Mills, where she was treated and released.

An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad, Plumsted Township Police Department, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office determined that Waldman had been illegally staying inside the residence near the garage and was responsible for starting the fire, according to authorities.

Waldman was taken into custody without incident at Plumsted Township Police Headquarters and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer credited the multiple law enforcement agencies involved for their coordinated investigative efforts.

All charges are accusations, and Waldman is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.