Nicholas Maresca, Jr. pleaded guilty to a harassment charge earlier this week
MOUNT ARLINGTON -- Authorities were investigating a fire at the home of the Hopatcong police officer who slapped a bunny-suited prankster last year.
Morris County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Fred Snowflack confirmed the prosecutor's office was handling the investigation into the Tuesday evening blaze on Audrey Road in Mount Arlington.
Tax records show the home belongs to Nicholas Maresca, Jr. and Victoria Maresca.
According to Snowflack, the house was unoccupied at the time and no one was injured.
Mount Arlington Police Lt. Edward LaBruno said the fire caused significant damage at the home and the prosecutor's office was notified as protocol.
The Morris County Prosecutor's Office arson investigation unit deemed the blaze was "a rapidly-moving fire and called in the arson dogs as part of a complete investigation," LaBruno said.
Arson dogs are trained to detected the smell of accelerants.
The fire is believed to have started between 6:15 p.m. and 6:26 p.m. with an electrical issue in a bedroom on the east side of the house, LaBruno said.
The arson investigation unit, he said, deemed the cause undetermined.
A family dog was rescued from inside the home by a neighbor.
Maresca pleaded guilty on Monday to harassment for slapping Kevin Hemmerich last year. He was initially charged with simple assault by the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office.
Hemmerich was wearing a bunny suit and blowing an air horn when he turned himself into police headquarters on an outstanding warrant on Nov. 17 while his brother recorded the confrontation with police.
The video captured by Hemmerich's brother showed Maresca slap Hemmerich in the head with his hand.
As part of the plea, Maresca was fined $500 but was allowed to keep his job.
Hemmerich himself pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct last month and was also fined $500.
Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
