14-year-old boy arrested for allegedly starting forest fire in New Jersey

A 14-year-old has been charged with allegedly starting one of the several wildfires that spread across New Jersey over the last month amid severe drought conditions in the region.

Authorities investigating the cause and origin of the blaze “located evidence that identified this fire as an arson,” the Evesham Township Police said in a statement.

Officers responded to a forest fire in Evesham Township, in the area of Sycamore Avenue near the Berlin Township border in New Jersey on October 30 at approximately 1 p.m.; over the next several days, authorities say the blaze burned 52 acres of land. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service and Evesham Fire Department combatted the flames, with authorities stating that no structures were threatened and no injuries were reported.

Following an “extensive investigation,” the teen — who resides in Marlton, within Evesham Township — was identified as a suspect, police said. The teen was arrested on Nov. 7 and charged with aggravated arson and causing or risking widespread injury or damage, and was lodged in the Middlesex Juvenile Detention Center pending his first appearance.

Police added that a separate blaze — dubbed the “Bethany Run Wildfire” — began on November 7 in the area of Sycamore Drive, and is also under investigation for possibly being connected to the October 30 blaze. The Nov. 7 fire burned for several days with 375 acres consumed, though no structures were damaged. The investigation into both fires is ongoing.

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