Shocking new revelations emerged Friday during a detention hearing in Ocean County Superior Court, shedding light on the recklessness that prosecutors say sparked the massive Jones Road Wildfire, which scorched more than 15,000 acres, forced mass evacuations, and destroyed a local business.
At the center of the case is Joseph Kling, a 19-year-old now charged with aggravated arson and arson. Prosecutors revealed that Kling and a group of friends started a bonfire deep in the woods off Jones Road on April 21, using gasoline-soaked items and wooden pallets — a reckless act that authorities say triggered the largest New Jersey wildfire in two decades.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Lenzi, Kling lit two pallets using gasoline before leaving the site to check on a friend, “J.M.”, who had reportedly crashed his dirt bike into a tree. Before leaving, Kling and another friend, “M.G.”, tossed six more pallets onto the flames. As they drove off, they could still see the embers glowing red behind them.
On Friday, a 17-year-old juvenile was also charged in connection to the blaze. Due to the minor’s age, their identity has not been disclosed.
In a trail of digital and eyewitness evidence, Lenzi outlined how the group had earlier retrieved 10 to 20 pallets from Sonny’s Recycling on Route 9, a move later confirmed by surveillance footage from a nearby restaurant. One witness told police that another member of the group, “E.H.”, confessed during a Snapchat conversation: “We caused the fire.”
Even more troubling, “J.M.” reportedly told investigators that he and Kling planned to falsely blame the fire on “Mexicans in the area.” Prosecutors say Kling repeated that lie to police — a false report designed to throw off the investigation.
“This defendant’s actions were both purposeful and reckless,” Lenzi told the court. “He lit a makeshift fire that destroyed thousands of acres, endangered the public, and then tried to hide his role by lying to law enforcement.”
The fire devastated a large swath of Ocean County and destroyed Liberty Door and Awning, a local business. Thousands of residents were evacuated as flames raged through forestland and threatened homes.
Kling’s defense attorney, Joseph Compitello, pushed back, arguing that the prosecution was appealing to public outrage rather than justice. He said Kling had no plans to flee and was completing automotive studies while working as an apprentice for his father, a U.S. Marine veteran and business owner.
Judge Pamela Snyder withheld a decision on Kling’s release, saying she would require a comprehensive monitoring plan before considering bail. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for Monday.