2nd person arrested in connection with Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County, NJ
The Jones Road Wildfire has grown to more than 15,000 acres and is still burning. Officials now say that it is 80% contained.
OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. (WPVI) -- Authorities in New Jersey announced Friday that a second teenager has been arrested in connection with the Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County.
A 17-year-old was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with arson, aggravated arson, and hindering apprehension in connection with the fire that started in Ocean Township on April 22.
In addition to the 17-year-old, Joseph Kling, 19, was previously charged in connection with the same incident.
The news of the second arrest came while Kling was having a detention hearing.
Prosecutors say that Kling picked up 10 to 20 wooden pallets from a recycling center and drove them into the woods, and used gasoline on two pallets to start the fire, and then eventually the rest of the pallets.
Friends told investigators that when Kling and friends left the pit of burning pallets in the woods, they were still glowing.
During the hearing, prosecutors said social media messages involving Kling and his friends contained an admission of starting the fire.
The judge continued the detention hearing until Monday morning, saying that there is significant concern to the community but would consider releasing Kling ahead of trial if he had a higher monitoring level.
Authorities say the fire is 80% contained but is still burning more than 10 days later. The blaze has destroyed more than 15,000 acres and destroyed an awning business.
It also led to the evacuation of homes and put many in southern Ocean County at risk as flames moved closer to homes and thick smoke filled the air.
MORE | Scammers target residents near Ocean County wildfire, charging $30K to remove smoke odor
Officials said the fire is believed to be the second-worst in the last two decades, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles.
In the meantime, police in Lacey Township are now warning residents about a scam connected to the fire. They say a company is claiming they can remediate the air and remove the smell of smoke from homes and they are charging up to $30,000 for services, but claim most will be covered by insurance.
They are also asking residents to sign paperwork for a loan. Police say the main target of the scam is senior citizens.
