Police Charge Teen In Last Month’s Jones Road Wildfire

Monday, May 5, 2025, 6:15 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News, 

WARETOWN, NJ.- Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer reported that during an ongoing investigation, on Thursday, May 1, 2025, a 17-year-old boy was taken into custody and charged with juvenile delinquency on the charges of Aggravated Arson; Arson; and Hindering Apprehension in connection with the April 22, 2025, wildfire that started in Ocean Township, New Jersey and spread throughout the Southern Ocean County area, which eventually consumed over 15,000 acres of land.

     Additionally, Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, New Jersey, was previously charged with Aggravated Arson; and Arson, and later charged with Hindering Apprehension in connection with the same investigation.

Photo Courtesy Of NJDEP

Authorities First Spot Smoke On Tuesday At 9:45 A.M.

     On April 22, 2025, shortly around 9:45 a.m., the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower spotted a column of smoke coming from the area of Jones and Bryant Roads in Waretown, and fire personnel responded. Upon arrival, Firefighters located heavy fire coming from within the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust’s Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area, which is located on the east side of Jones Road.

     As of April 28, 2025, the fire burned over 15,000 acres in Waretown and Lacey Township, New Jersey, and destroyed a commercial building.

     During a thorough investigation by local and state law enforcement agencies, investigators pinpointed the location where the fire began and determined that it had started by an improperly extinguished bonfire. Further investigation uncovered that Kling was the individual responsible for starting the bonfire by setting wooden pallets on fire and then leaving the area without properly extinguishing the fire. On April 23, 2025, Kling was taken into custody and charged with arson offenses. After being processed on the charges, he was remanded to the Ocean County Jail, pending future court proceedings.

Continuing Investigation Uncovers Teen Assisted In Lighting Fire

     Further investigation uncovered that the juvenile assisted in setting the bonfire and also left the area without making sure the fire was properly extinguished. Investigators also determined that the juvenile provided false information to authorities about how the fire was started. Accordingly, on Thursday, the teen was formally charged and lodged in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.

     The continuing investigation revealed that Kling had provided false information to authorities. On Thursday, May 1, 2025, he was charged with Hindering Apprehension and served with the charges at the Ocean County Jail.

     Kling and the juvenile have been scheduled for detention hearings, which will be heard today in Ocean County Superior Court and the Family Law Division of the Ocean County Superior Court.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and as in adult criminal cases, a juvenile defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”