By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on January 23, a juvenile was charged with six counts of Arson in connection with a flash fire that occurred in Berkeley Township on December 31, 2025.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that on December 31, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Berkeley Township Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services Departments responded to a residence on North Trenton Avenue in Berkeley Township for a report of a fire and multiple individuals with injuries.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau also responded to the scene to ascertain the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding the fire, OCPO officials say.
According to Ocean County officials, the investigation revealed that a New Year's Eve party was taking place at the residence. In the backyard of the residence, a juvenile was attempting to start a fire in a fire pit.
As part of those efforts, the juvenile repeatedly poured gasoline from a five-gallon can into the fire pit, resulting in a flash fire, OCPO officials stated. The fire caused injuries to six individuals in attendance at the party, as well as to the juvenile.
Two of the injured individuals were transported by ambulance to Community Medical Center in Toms River for further evaluation of their injuries, and another individual was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for further evaluation, Ocean County authorities said.
Interviews of the six individuals who were injured and the juvenile confirmed the events that led to the fire and injuries sustained during this incident, according to Ocean County officials. Additionally, ring doorbell footage from the back porch area of the residence was recovered and depicted the events consistent with the statements made by the individuals who were injured, as well as the juvenile.
Ocean County officials stated that because the individual charged with these offenses is a juvenile, New Jersey law prohibits the release of any additional information.