Newark, N.J. ? Two students have been charged with murder and arson for allegedly setting the fire more than three years ago that killed three freshmen at a Seton Hall University dorm, authorities said Thursday.

The two, residents of the freshman dormitory at the time, were arrested Wednesday after being indicted by a special grand jury.

In addition to murder and arson, Joseph T. LePore, of Florham Park, and Sean Ryan, of Livingston, were charged with aggravated assault and conspiring in a cover-up, authorities said.

The two ignited a paper poster that was torn down and placed on a couch made of highly flammable foam, acting Essex County Prosecutor Donald Campolo said. They escaped without injury, Campolo said.

The indictments also accused LePore’s parents and 24-year-old sister of charges including obstruction of justice, hindering apprehension and conspiracy. Another Seton Hall student, 21-year-old Santino Cataldo, was charged with witness tampering, obstruction and conspiracy.

LePore and Ryan, both 22, were jailed on $2 million bail each, Campolo said.

Lawyers for each denied the charges.

The blaze broke out at 4:30 a.m. Jan. 19, 2000, in a third-floor lounge of Boland Hall, home to 600 freshman at the South Orange campus.