
Man charged with arson after authorities say he sparked New Jersey Pine Barrens blaze
CHATSWORTH, N.J. (AP) — A man set wooden pallets on fire and failed to properly put them out in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, sparking a quick-moving wildfire, authorities said Thursday.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said the Waretown man faces aggravated arson and arson charges in the southern New Jersey wildfire, which authorities said Thursday morning grew to more than 23 square miles. (59 square kilometers).
The prosecutor’s office said the 19-year-old has no attorney listed yet.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.