El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en enero 23, 2026, a juvenile was charged with six counts of Arson in connection with a flash fire that occurred in Berkeley Township on December 31, 2025.
En diciembre 31, 2025, aproximadamente a 8:00 pm., Policía del municipio de Berkeley, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Departments responded to a residence on North Trenton Avenue in Berkeley Township for a report of a fire and multiple individuals with injuries. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Condado de Ocean, y Oficina de Detectives del Departamento de Policía del Municipio de Berkeley, also responded to the scene to ascertain the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding the fire.
Investigation revealed that a New Years Eve party was taking place at the residence. In the backyard of the residence, a juvenile was attempting to start a fire in a fire pit. As part of those efforts, the juvenile repeatedly poured gasoline out of a five-gallon can into the fire pit – resulting in a flash fire. The fire caused injuries to six individuals in attendance at the party as well as to the juvenile.
Two of the injured individuals were transported by ambulance to Community Medical Center in Toms River for further evaluation of their injuries, and another individual was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for further evaluation.
Interviews of the six individuals that were injured and the juvenile confirmed the events that led to the fire and injuries sustained during this incident. Además, ring doorbell footage from the back porch area of the residence was recovered and depicted the events consistent with the statements made by the individuals that were injured as well as the juvenile.
Because the individual charged with these offenses is a juvenile, New Jersey law prohibits the release of any additional information.
El fiscal Billhimer elogia la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Ocean., Departamento de policía del municipio de Berkeley, Berkeley Township Fire Department, Berkeley Township Emergency Medical Services, Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, y la Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Condado de Ocean, por su colaboración en relación con esta investigación.
Los cargos mencionados anteriormente son meras acusaciones y se recuerda a la prensa y al público que todos los acusados se presumen inocentes a menos y hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia..
RPC. 3.6(b)(6).