Then-Randolph school superintendent set fire to own garage, authorities say

The man who until just days ago was superintendent of schools in Randolph has been charged with setting fire to the garage of his Wyckoff home.

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli in a statement said David Browne was found outside the garage on Wyckoff Avenue with numerous injuries when firefighters arrived on Oct. 13.

An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, its arson squad, and the Wyckoff Police Department concluded that Browne purposely set the fire from inside the garage, the prosecutor's office said.

It didn't say how authorities came to that conclusion.

Browne was charged with one count of arson. He remains hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center for the injuries sustained from the fire, the prosecutor's office said.

He must surrender with 24 hours of his release from the hospital, when bail will be set, it said. Arraignment is set for Nov.18.

Browne began the school year in Sept. 8 on a 30-day medical leave and was then placed on an indefinite leave of absence the same day as the October fire. On Oct. 27, he stepped down as superintendent, a position he had held since July 2011.

According to NJ.com, Browne had been earning $167,500 annually and is slated to receive a payout of of $62,350 for three months of compensation and unused vacation and sick days.

Toniann Antonelli contributed to this report