NEWS · C1 Level - Part 2

Suspect charged with arson in New Jersey wildfire

Smoke billowed into the air Thursday as crews in southern New Jersey worked to halt the spread of this massive inferno.

Level: C1 · 20 sentences

Transcript

1. Smoke billowed into the air Thursday as crews in southern New Jersey worked to halt the spread of this massive inferno.
2. A lot of the smoke has to do with the interior burning.
3. This is a good thing.
4. Local law enforcement also announced the arrest of a teenager they alleged started the blaze,
5. 19-year-old Joseph Kling.
6. Authorities say a joint investigation revealed Kling lit a bonfire using wooden pallets
7. and left before it was fully extinguished.
8. He now faces multiple arson charges.
9. We believe he is the person responsible for starting this fire
10. and we intend to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.
11. The wildfire was first spotted Tuesday morning and spread quickly,
12. prompting temporary evacuation orders for thousands of people.
13. 87year-old Patricia Orvetsz is among those happy to be back home.
14. It was scary.
15. I mean, the flames were very high and very bright and all different colors.
16. According to the chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service,
17. there have been more than twice as many fires in the state so far this year than at the same point last year.
18. Once a fire like that gets established, there's no actual catching it.
19. Joseph Kling, who authorities accused of starting this wildfire,
20. will remain in Ocean County Jail until his next court appearance on Tuesday.