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A 19-year-old man has been charged with arson in connection to a wildfire that burned thousands of acres in New Jersey.
JUST IN: Raging Wildfire Prompts Mass Evacuations in New Jersey
“Prosecutors on Thursday reported Joseph Kling, an Ocean Township resident, has been charged with aggravated arson and arson,” FOX 29 Philadelphia reports.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said an improperly extinguished bonfire started the blaze.
🚨 #BREAKING: A 19 year old man has been arrested for AGGRAVATED ARSON for setting the blaze that’s burned over 13,000 acres in New Jersey
Joseph Kling set pallets alight in a wooded area, and the fire, which is still burning, quickly got out of control
If only the arsonists… pic.twitter.com/uAqQh7mev1
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 24, 2025
FOX 29 Philadelphia reports:
Prosecutors in Ocean County have charged 19-year-old Joseph Kling with arson in connection to a massive wildfire that has to date torched 15,000 acres.
Investigators say King, an Ocean Township resident, set fire to wooden pallets and did not properly extinguish the blaze before he left the area.
King was taken into custody on Wednesday and was brought to Ocean County jail, pending a detention hearing.
The Jones Road Fire sparked on Tuesday morning and has since spread to over 15,000 acres with just 50% containment as of Thursday morning.
The fire forced thousands in nearby communities to evacuate their homes, and destroyed at least one commercial building.
“This could be the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years,” fire officials said during a press conference on Wednesday.
🚨BREAKING: A 19-year-old has been charged with aggravated arson for starting a fire that has now spread across 13,000 acres in New Jersey.
Officials say Joseph Kling ignited pallets in a wooded area, sparking the massive wildfire. pic.twitter.com/iFBR0LPZxC
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 24, 2025
BREAKING: A 19-year-old has been charged with aggravated arson for igniting a wildfire that has now engulfed 13,000 acres in New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/pcfcAnFbeI
— The General (@GeneralMCNews) April 24, 2025
Per ABC News:
The Jones Road Wildfire was first spotted about 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday in the Greenwood Wildlife Management area near Waretown, New Jersey, officials said.
Fueled by draught ravaged vetation and blustery winds and low relative humidity, the fire quickly spread the pine barrens of the wildlife area, jumped the busy Garden State Parkway and at one point threatened around 1,300 structures, fire officials said.
At least 5,000 people heeded mandatory evacuation orders or voluntarily evacuated, officials said.
Officials said investigators tracked the origin of the fire to Waretown.
“Further investigation has revealed that Kling was the individual responsible for setting wooden pallets on fire — and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished,” officials said in the statement.
Kling was taken into custody at Ocean Township Police Headquarters in Warertown, officials said.
He was booked at the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.