Sparta man sets fire to home because he can’t afford repairs

SPARTA – A 76-year-old man is charged with setting fire to his house because he could not afford to fix it, police said Monday.

At 5:08 a.m. on Friday, police were dispatched to a Maple Tree Lane address in the Lake Mohawk section of the township after a report came in about a structure fire.

Officers arriving on the scene spoke to the homeowner, Michael A. McQuilkin, 76, who said that he had “torched” his home because it was in a state of disrepair and he could not afford to do any of the repairs that the township had required, police said.

The Sparta Fire Department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire but the home was a complete loss, police said.

McQuilkin was arrested for arson. His bail was set at $7,500. McQuilkin was unable to post bail and was lodged in the Sussex County Jail pending a court appearance.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire.