Local Fire Investigations

[Editor]

Date: 2/4/17

Time: 7:31 a.m.

Location / Address: 43216 Plainview Drive, Hollywood, St. Mary's County, MD

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 1 story single family residence

Owner / Occupants: Owner - Mark Rentschler

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 150,000.00 Contents: $ 50,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: Unknown if activated

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: # 1 Of Firefighters: 25

Time to Control: 10 minutes

Discovered By: Owner

Area of Origin: Chimney

Preliminary Cause: Accidental

Additional Information: The accidental fire was the result of a fire within the chimney which extended into the residence. One adult was displaced and is being assisted by the American Red Cross.

 

[Editor]

Vehicle Fire Leads to Arrest

St. Mary's County (February 7, 2017) - Investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office responded for a vehicle fire this morning around 5:22 am at 21262 Joe Baker Court in Lexington Park, St. Mary's County. A 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer was intentionally set on fire and subsequently destroyed by the fire. The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire within five minutes. The investigation revealed the owner of the vehicle, Anthony Bryant (28), intentionally set the fire in the passenger compartment. The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office assisted in locating the suspect and transported him to the St. Mary's County Detention Center.

Bryant was charged with Arson Second Degree and is awaiting a bond hearing at the local detention center.

 

[Editor]

Date: 2/10/17

Time: 6:30 a.m.

Location / Address: 24740 Nelson Hill Way, Hollywood, St. Mary's County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2 story wood framed dwelling with attached garage

Owner / Occupants: William & Judy Smith

Injuries or Deaths:None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 50,000.00 Contents: $ 30,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: Present / Activated

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department (fill-in crew)

# of Alarms: # 1 Of Firefighters: 20

Time to Control: 15 minutes

Discovered By: Occupants of the home

Area of Origin: Garage

Preliminary Cause: Accidental - Electrical event

Additional Information: The cause of the fire was an electrical malfunction in a space heater located in the attached garage. There was minimal fire extension into the home. The family was able to escape unharmed after alerting 9-1-1. The family is being assisted by family and friends.

 

[Editor]

Date: 2/13/17

Time: 5:45 p.m.

Location / Address: 1330 Point Sandy Road, Nanjemoy, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: Vehicle

Owner / Occupants: Unknown

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ (under investigation) Contents: $

Smoke Alarm Status: N/A

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: # 1 Of Firefighters: 4

Time to Control: 5 minutes

Discovered By: Passer-by

Area of Origin: Under Investigation

Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation

Additional Information: A passer-by was driving past Point Sandy Road when they noticed a vehicle on fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed as a result of the fire. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Southern Regional Office, at 443-550-6820.

 

[Editor]

Date: 2/16/2017

Time: 9:18 pm

Location / Address: 615 Lisa Lane, Lusby, Calvert County, Maryland

Type of Incident: House Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2 story single family dwelling

Owner / Occupants: Bobby & Eunice Newsome

Injuries or Deaths: 2 adults transported as a medical precaution

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $300,000 Contents: $50,000

Smoke Alarm Status: Present

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): N/A

Primary Responding Fire Department: Solomons Island VRS & FD

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 60

Time to Control: 20 min

Discovered By: Occupant

Area of Origin: Chimney

Preliminary Cause: Accidental - chimney fire

Additional Information: The accidental fire was the result of residue which had collected in the exterior chimney pipe igniting and extending into the residence. Two adult occupants were transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital as a medical precaution, where they were checked and released. The family is being assisted by the American Red Cross.

 

[Editor]

Date: 2/23/17

Time: 7:04 p.m.

Location / Address: 11 N. Maple Avenue, La Plata, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2 story commercial building / Husick Construction

Owner / Occupants: Joseph Husick

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 50,000.00 Contents: $ 50,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: None

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: La Plata Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: # 1 Of Firefighters: 49

Time to Control: 5 minutes

Discovered By: Passer-By

Area of Origin: 2nd Floor Office

Preliminary Cause: Accidental - Light Fixture

Additional Information: The fire was determined to be accidental as a result of a light fixture malfunction in a 2nd floor office. The business was unoccupied at the time of the fire.