Second teen arrested and charged with starting massive wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey
(May 3, 2025) Yesterday, Ocean County Prosecutor, Bradley D. Billhimer, announced that on May 1, a 17 year-old male was taken into custody and charged with Aggravated Arson, Arson, and Hindering Apprehension, all in connection with the wildfire that started in Ocean Township (Waretown) on April 22, which continued to spread throughout the southern Ocean County area. Prosecutors are not releasing his name because he is a juvenile.
Additionally, Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown – previously charged with Aggravated Arson and Arson relative to the wildfire – was charged with Hindering Apprehension in connection with the same incident.
Background: On April 22, 2025, at approximately 9:45 a.m., the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower located a column of smoke coming from the area of Jones Road and Bryant Road in Waretown. Upon arrival, emergency personnel observed a fire within the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust’s Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area, which is on the east side of Jones Road.
From April 22, on X:
As of April 28, the fire burned approximately 15,300 acres in Waretown and Lacey Township, and destroyed a commercial building.
Those investigating the cause of the wildfire conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, included the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, plotted the origin of the fire via Global Positioning System (GPS). The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire.
Further investigation revealed that Kling was the individual responsible for setting wooden pallets on fire – and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished. On April 23, Kling was charged with Aggravated Arson and Arson. He was taken into custody at Ocean Township (Waretown) Police Headquarters; he was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Continuing investigation has revealed that the juvenile assisted in setting the wooden pallets on fire and also left the area without the fire being fully extinguished. It was also determined that the juvenile gave misinformation to law enforcement about how the fire started. The juvenile is currently lodged at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
Further investigation has also revealed that Kling likewise provided false information to law enforcement as to how the fire started; as such, Kling was additionally charged with Hindering Apprehension on May 1. On that date, he was served with the charge at the Ocean County Jail.
Related, see: Local man charged with arson in massive and still burning New Jersey wildfire ~ April 25. 2025
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(Source: Ocean County Prosecutors Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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