OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A juvenile was arrested and charged with arson and other crimes in connection with the large wildfire that has burned over 15,000 acres in Ocean County, New Jersey, in less than two weeks.
The suspect—a 17-year-old boy—is the second person charged in connection with the wildfire. He was not named because he is a minor.
He faces charges of aggravated arson, arson and hindering apprehension, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday.
Last week, Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, was charged with aggravated arson and arson for allegedly starting the fire in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Prosecutors said Friday that Kling was additionally charged Thursday with hindering apprehension.
According to prosecutors, Kling and the juvenile set wooden pallets on fire and left the area without the fire being fully extinguished. The cause was said to be an “improperly extinguished bonfire.”
Both of them then allegedly gave false information to law enforcement on how the fire was started.
Kling is at the Ocean County Jail, while the juvenile is at Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
The fire was first seen on the morning of April 22, as a column of smoke rose from the area of Jones Road and Bryant Road in Waretown. The fire broke out within the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area, which is part of the Pine Barrens.
The fire was 75% contained as of Monday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. It has burned roughly 15,300 acres in Waretown and Lacey Township and destroyed a commercial building. There have been no reported injuries.
