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

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with arson for allegedly starting a wildfire in New Jersey amid a drought in the region, police said.

The brush fire started in Evesham Township on Oct. 30 and burned for several days, police said. The fire destroyed 52 hectares, although no buildings were damaged, police said.

Authorities investigating the cause and origin of the fire found “evidence identifying this fire as arson,” Evesham Township police said in a statement Wednesday.

After an “extensive investigation,” the teen – who lives in Marlton, Evesham Township – was identified as the suspect, police said.

The teen, whose name has not been released because of his age, was arrested Nov. 7 and charged with aggravated arson and causing or risking widespread injury or damage, police said. He was booked into the Middlesex Juvenile Detention Center pending his first appearance, police said.

Police said they are also investigating whether a fire that started on November 7, in the same area as the October 30 fire, is related to this incident.

The Nov. 7 fire burned for several days and destroyed 375 acres, although no buildings were damaged, police said.

The investigation into both fires is still ongoing.

The northeast has seen unusually high fire danger in recent weeks, including red flag warnings, and very little rain has fallen in the region. There have been fires in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, including in New York City parks.