VERNON TOWNSHIP — A man is in custody following what emergency services officials describe as an intentionally lighted fire in a unit of Vernon Township’s Timbercrest Apartments off Mullen Road.

The fire was reported shortly after 1 p.m. Vernon officials confirmed that a small child was rescued from a male pedestrian on Mullen shortly before the fire report and that the pedestrian was in custody. They have not officially reported if there is a link between that man and the fire.

The fire was described as minor but potentially very dangerous. It was  started by lighting debris and clothing that was gathered in a room of a ground-floor apartment, emergency personnel at the scene told a Tribune reporter.

There was moderate damage to that apartment and minor smoke damage to upstairs and nearby apartments.

Fire crew members told the reporter that quick action averted a potentially very serious problem that could have resulted in a complete loss of the multi-apartment building.

Several people and pets were evacuated from their apartments, including some by ladder rescue from second-floor apartments.