Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 1, 2025, a 17 year-old male juvenile 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, 2025, which continued to spread throughout the southern Ocean County area. 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.
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.
As of April 28, 2025, the fire burned approximately 15,300 acres in Waretown and Lacey Township, and destroyed a commercial building.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, 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, 2025, 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, 2025. On that date, he was served with the charge at the Ocean County Jail.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean Township (Waretown) Police Department Detective Bureau, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ship Bottom Police Department, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their continuing efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).