4,200-Acre Wildfire Forces Evacuations In Wharton State Forest, 5 Structures Threatened
A major wildfire burning in Wharton State Forest has scorched 4,200 acres and is now 40% contained, state officials said Saturday morning.
The blaze, known as the Mines Spung Wildfire, is burning in the area of the Carranza Memorial in Shamong Township, Burlington County, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Evacuations have been ordered at the Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy and Lower Forge Campground. Officials said five structures are currently threatened.
Crews are working aggressively using fire engines, bulldozers, helicopters, and ground crews to build firelines …
Toms River Arsonist Admits To Starting Brick Blaze That Injured 3 Firefighters: Prosecutors
A 51-year-old Toms River man pleaded guilty on Monday, June 9, to intentionally starting a fire in Brick Township, injuring three firefighters, authorities said.
Charles Maulbeck pleaded guilty to arson and criminal mischief, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Per the terms of a plea agreement, he is expected to be sentenced to three years in prison, Billhimer said.
On Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, Brick Township police saw smoke and heavy fire at a home on Falkenberg Road, Billhimer said. Two firefighters were treated and released from a nearby hospital, while a third dec…
House Fire Kills Two Dogs, Cat; Plainview Tenant Charged With Arson, Animal : Police
A fire that killed two dogs and a cat inside a Plainview home led to the arrest of a tenant on arson and animal cruelty charges, Nassau County Police announced on Tuesday, May 27.
Jahan Kia, 40, is accused of setting a blaze inside the basement stairwell of a home on Eileen Avenue around 7:50 p.m. on Monday, May 26, according to a release from the Arson Bomb Squad.
Firefighters from Bethpage and surrounding departments responded quickly and extinguished the flames. No people were inside the residence at the time, but two dogs and a cat were found dead, police said.
Kia, identified as a ten…
Fairview Firefighter Stole $6.7K From Fire Company: Prosecutor
A 29-year-old firefighter has been charged with stealing more than $6,700 from a volunteer fire company account in Bergen County, authorities said Friday, May 23.
Adrian Oceguera, of Weehawken, was arrested in Paramus on Thursday, May 22, 2025, following an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
On Jan. 6, the office’s Confidential Investigations Unit received information about an alleged theft tied to the Fairview Fire Department.
An investigation revealed a series of unauthorized ATM withdrawals and purchases made between January 2023 a…
Duo Accused Of Torching Springfield Shed During Eviction Dispute; Home Also Damaged In Blaze
Two people who were being evicted from a home in Springfield set fire to a shed on the property, damaging the house and destroying the other structure, police said.
Nelson Martins, 51, of Ludlow, and Wendy Champagne, 47, of Ware, were arrested in Ware on Wednesday, May 21, and charged with the March 1 blaze, Springfield Police said.
Firefighters were called to a fire on Kamuda Street in Springfield on March 1 and found a shed ablaze and flames leaping onto the nearby home.
Crews put out the conflagration with no injuries, but the shed was destroyed, and the house suf…
