Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on January 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.
On December 31, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Berkeley Township Police, 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, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, 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. Additionally, 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.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Berkeley Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Fire Department, Berkeley Township Emergency Medical Services, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, for their collaborative assistance 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).