Woman found stabbed to death after overnight blaze sparks arson probe

🔥Woman in her 50s stabbed to death by her husband, cops say

🔥Male suspect in custody as fire investigated as possible arson

🔥Two other adults in the home made it safely out

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP —  Officials said a woman was stabbed to death by her husband, who then set their home on fire early Tuesday morning.

The fire was reported around 2:30 a.m. in a townhouse on the 100 block of Freedom Way in the Erial section of Gloucester Township, according to Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay. Investigators say the fire was intentionally set.

Firefighters going into the home encountered Jerome Morris, 51, holding a knife covered in blood.  Police took him into custody. They found a woman who was stabbed, Monica Morris, 51, in a third floor bedroom. Firefighters brought her body outside where she was pronounced dead, MacAulay said.

Jerome Morris is charged with first-degree murder and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. After being treated at a hospital, he will be held at the Camden County Correctional Facility.

A neighbor told NBC Philadelphia they saw smoke coming from the home but no flames.

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Police injured

Two other adults were able to get out of the house without injury, MacAulay said. 

Three police officers were injured while inside the home. One was treated at a hospital and released.

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