350 Acres Scorched in New Jersey Wildfire; Suspect Charged with Arson

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office reported that a man has been charged with arson in relation to a wildfire that started on Wednesday in Jackson Township, which has now burned 350 acres.

By Sheenu Gupta On Nov 11, 2024 Share with new partner:

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced that a man has been charged with arson in connection to a wildfire that ignited in Jackson Township on Wednesday, spreading across 350 acres. Identified by prosecutors as 37-year-old Richard Shashaty from Brick Township, he now faces charges of arson and violations of firearms regulations.

The wildfire, which has been officially named the “Shotgun Wildfire” by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, has caused significant damage in the area. The charges were made public in a news release on Saturday evening by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, highlighting the serious nature of the incident and the legal actions underway against Shashaty.

Multiple law enforcement agencies have been actively investigating the wildfire, working to determine its cause and assess the extent of the damage. Among the agencies involved are the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, which specializes in fire-related incidents; the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, tasked with coordinating response efforts; and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, which has been evaluating the impact on local wildlife and natural habitats. Together, these agencies are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the full scope of the fire and bring those responsible to justice.

According to prosecutors, the investigation began when local authorities, including Jackson Township police, fire departments, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, responded to a report of a wildfire near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road. The call came in around 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting these agencies to mobilize quickly to contain and assess the fire. The coordinated response marked the start of a comprehensive investigation into the fire’s origins and potential causes.

The multi-agency investigation revealed that the fire began behind a berm in the southwest area of the rifle club. Prosecutors reported that magnesium fragments from a Dragon’s Breath 12-gauge shotgun round sparked the fire by igniting flammable materials on the shooting range berm. This type of tracer or incendiary ammunition is banned in New Jersey, according to prosecutors. Investigators connected Richard Shashaty to the incident, alleging that he was responsible for firing the prohibited ammunition, which ultimately started the wildfire.

Richard Shashaty, 37, turned himself in to the Jackson Township Police Department on Saturday. He is currently detained at the Ocean County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing, according to the release. As of Friday evening, fire officials reported that the wildfire had burned 350 acres and was 90% contained. Shortly after the fire began on Wednesday, officials from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service noted that 25 buildings were at risk, prompting the evacuation of 15 homes for several hours.