Authorities arrested the 19-year-old from Waretown, New Jersey, and charged him with arson and aggravated arson in the fire that’s still burning in southern New Jersey that they described as started with “an improperly extinguished bonfire.”

Police arrested Joseph Kling, 19, for allegedly starting the New Jersey wildfire that has burned more than 15,000 acres and is about 50% contained. Authorities say a joint investigation revealed Kling lit a bonfire using wooden palettes and left before it was fully extinguished.

A New Jersey man was arrested in connection with sparking the 15,250-acre fire that has burned for several days in Ocean County, just miles from the Jersey Shore. Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, has been charged with arson and aggravated arson,