Man Arrested for Arson Attempt at Landmark Newark Eatery

A 35-year-old man was arrested early yesterday for trying to start fires at a landmark Ferry Street restaurant, a Newark fire department spokesman said Monday. 

Workers at Iberia, 84 Ferry St., witnessed Oscar Guzman attempting to ignite two bags of charcoal stacked outside the building around 2:28 am, Capt. John Brown said. Guzman was grabbed by the workers and held until authorities arrived.

He was placed under arrest following a four-hour arson investigation and charged with aggravated arson and a related charge of creating a risk of injury. He also faces a charge of simple assault stemming from a “ruckus” that ensued after the workers detained Guzman, Brown said.