19-Year-Old Charged with Arson in Massive Ocean County Wildfire

Joseph Kling, a 19-year-old from Ocean Township (Waretown), has been arrested and charged with aggravated arson and arson for allegedly causing a massive wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey. Authorities say the fire began when Kling set wooden pallets ablaze in a bonfire that was not properly extinguished, then left the area. The blaze started on April 22 and rapidly spread, burning more than 15,000 acres, destroying a business, closing roads, and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. As of Thursday, the wildfire was only about 50% contained and threatened over 1,300 structures, with smoke reaching as far as New York City. Officials have called it potentially the largest wildfire in New Jersey in two decades, prompting a State of Emergency declaration. Kling remains in custody at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.