A New Jersey teenager has been charged in connection with a massive wildfire that tore through southern Ocean County, consuming approximately 15,000 acres of land and triggering the evacuation of thousands of residents. Nineteen-year-old Joseph Kling of Ocean Township was arrested and faces charges of aggravated arson and arson after allegedly igniting wooden pallets and leaving without confirming the fire was extinguished.

Authorities say the blaze, known as the Jones Road Wildfire, began Tuesday morning when a plume of smoke was spotted near Jones Road and Bryant Road by the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower. The fire quickly spread through the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area, part of the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust. Emergency responders and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service were dispatched to contain the flames, which have now been 50% brought under control.

Investigators determined the cause to be incendiary in nature, linked to a bonfire that was not properly put out. One commercial building was destroyed, and eight other structures were threatened during the fire’s rapid advance. Despite the scale of the disaster, there have been no reported fatalities or homes lost.

Roughly 5,000 residents were evacuated at the height of the crisis. A state of emergency was declared on Wednesday by acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way. Fire officials, including state environmental protection commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, have warned the fire may continue burning for several more days and could become the largest wildfire in the state in two decades.

“This could have ended in catastrophe,” LaTourette said. “Thanks to the heroic efforts of our fire service crews, we’ve protected lives and property, but the fight isn’t over.”

Kling remains in custody at the Ocean County jail awaiting a detention hearing as authorities continue to monitor and battle the blaze.