14-year-old boy arrested for allegedly starting New Jersey wildfire
A 14-year-old boy faces arson charges for allegedly starting a New Jersey wildfire amid drought in the region, police said.
The wildfire broke out Oct. 30 in Evesham Township and burned for several days, police said. The fire consumed 52 acres but no structures were damaged, police said.
New Jersey fire crews are responding to a wildfire in Evesham Township, New Jersey that started on October 30, 2024.
New Jersey Forest Fire Department
Authorities investigating the cause and origin of the fire “found evidence that identified this fire as an arson,” Evesham Township police said in a statement. statement Wednesday.
New Jersey fire crews are responding to a wildfire in Evesham Township, New Jersey that started on October 30, 2024.
New Jersey Forest Fire Department
Following an “extensive investigation,” the teenager – who resides in Marlton, Evesham Township – was identified as a suspect, police said.
The teen, whose name was withheld due to his age, was arrested Nov. 7 and charged with aggravated arson and causing or likely to cause widespread injury or damage, the statement said. the police. He was booked into the Middlesex Juvenile Detention Center pending his initial appearance, police said.
New Jersey fire crews are responding to a wildfire in Evesham Township, New Jersey that started on October 30, 2024.
New Jersey Forest Fire Department
Police said they were also investigating whether a fire that broke out on Nov. 7, in the same area as the Oct. 30 fire, was related to this incident.
The Nov. 7 fire burned for several days and 375 acres were consumed, but no structures were damaged, police said.
The investigation into both fires is ongoing.
The Northeast has seen unusually high fire danger in recent weeks, including red flag warnings, with very little rain in the region. Fires broke out in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, including in New York City parks.
