A 19-year-old man has been charged with arson in connection with a massive wildfire that torched thousands of acres of woodland in Ocean County.
Joseph Kling was charged with arson and aggravated arson in connection to the Jones Road wildfire.
Investigators determined that the fire was caused by an improperly extinguished bonfire, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in a statement.
It’s believed that Kling ignited wooden pallets and left the area without fully extinguishing the fire he’s accused of starting.
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.
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