Suspect’s Girlfriend Sent Snapchat, ‘We Started The Fire’

A published report based on the probable cause evidence of the Jones Road Fire says the girlfriend of the second suspect in starting the blaze sent a Snapchat message saying, "We started the fire."

The girlfriend, who is not identified and not charged with the fire, which has burned over 15,000 acres in Ocean County, was at the scene of the bonfire the night of April 21, according to the affidavit obtained by NJ Advance Media.

The 17-year-old suspect hasn't been identified because of his age.

Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, the first suspect to be charged in the wildfire, was released from jail on Monday, wearing an ankle monitor, by the judge who told him not to leave his home.

As of Tuesday, the fire was still burning over two weeks later and was 90% contained.

New Evidence in Fire Comes Out in Court Documents

The message was part of the interview given with the 17-year-old suspect's classmate, who went to police with her mother several days after the fire started.

The police searched the girl's phone and found a text thread from the day of the fire, in which she said she had seen her boyfriend’s friend throw pallets on the fire.

There were also photos of the pallets taken the night that the bonfire was started that led to the massive wildfire, according to the affidavit.

One message talked about how one of the men left the scene of the fire after spinning the tires of his truck in an unsuccessful attempt to cover the flames with dirt.

Police think that person was Joseph Kling.

Both suspects have been charged with arson, aggravated arson, and hindering the investigation.

Kling allegedly told police that two fictitious individuals whom he described as “Mexicans” had started the fire.

When police interviewed Kling's friends, they said that Kling had shown up at the bonfire site with 10 to 20 pallets he had stolen from a Waretown recycling business.

He threw some of the pallets onto the fire and covered them with gasoline.