A 19-year-old has been charged with arson and aggravated arson for allegedly starting one of the largest wildfires in New Jersey in the past two decades.
Authorities on Thursday said the wildfire in Ocean County began after Joseph Kling set fire to wooden pallets and left the area without first ensuring the fire had been fully extinguished.
The wildfire has scorched more than 15,000 acres and is 50% contained as of Thursday afternoon, but is still expected to burn for days.