A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a massive New Jersey wildfire that has consumed at least 15,100 acres and continued to burn Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
In a statement released Thursday morning, New Jersey officials, including Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, announced the arrest of Joseph Kling of Waretown, New Jersey. He was charged with second-degree aggravated arson, for allegedly purposely destroying a forest; and third-degree arson, for allegedly recklessly endangering buildings or structures.
Kling was arrested after investigators determined the fire to be “incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire,” according to the statement.
During his first court appearance on Thursday afternoon, Kling did not enter a plea to the charges. A detention hearing is scheduled for April 29.
The Jones Road Wildfire was first spotted about 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday in the Greenwood Wildlife Management area in Waretown, officials said. Fueled by drought-ravaged vegetation, blustery winds and low relative humidity, the fire quickly spread and threatened around 1,300 structures at one point, fire officials said.
At least 5,000 people heeded mandatory evacuation orders or voluntarily evacuated, according to officials.
Source-ABC
