Local Fire Investigations

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5/12/17

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Location / Address: 101 E Hawthorne Drive, Apt. 2, La Plata, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: Three story, brick, apartment building

Owner / Occupants: Kim Linkous

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 70,000.00 Contents: $ 15,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: Present - Operating

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: La Plata Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 39

Time to Control: 30 minutes

Discovered By: Occupant

Area of Origin: Bedroom

Preliminary Cause: Accidental - candle

Additional Information: The occupants noticed smoke and flames coming from a back bedroom. Neighbors attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful due to high heat and heavy smoke conditions. The family was displaced and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. The occupants in neighboring apartments were not displaced.

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: May 23, 2017

Time: 11:00 AM

Location / Address: 2796 Trumpeter Court, Waldorf Charles County

Type of Incident: Explosive

Description of Structure / Property: Aluminum Mailbox

Owner / Occupants: Grace Kim

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: $0

Smoke Alarm Status: N/A

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None at this time

Primary Responding Fire Department: N/A

# of Alarms: N/A # Of Firefighters: N/A

Time to Control: N/A

Discovered By: Owner

Area of Origin: Inside Mailbox

Preliminary Cause: Intentional

Additional Information: Around 11:00 PM on May 23rd, the owner heard a loud "pop" outside and a vehicle speed off in an unknown direction. The owner did not report the incident until 5/24/2017 after seeing items inside the mailbox. Investigation revealed u nknown suspect(s) ignited an M60 firecracker inside mailbox. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Office of the State Fire Marshal- Southern Region at 443-550-6832.

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5-30-17

Time: 5:00 pm

Location / Address: 12204 Wendy Lane, Waldorf, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Vehicle Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550

Owner / Occupants: Larry Francois

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $10,000 Contents: $0

Smoke Alarm Status: N/A

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: No response

# of Alarms: # Of Firefighters:

Time to Control: N/A

Discovered By: Charles County Sheriff's Office patrol unit

Area of Origin: Interior of the vehicle

Preliminary Cause: Incendiary - ARSON

Additional Information: The vehicle was reportedly stolen. The investigation revealed it was abandoned in the remote area and intentionally set on fire. The fire burned itself out long before the patrol unit's discovered it while on routine patrol.

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 6/4/17

Time: 3:16 p.m.

Location / Address: 29843 Charlotte Hall Rd., Charlotte Hall, St. Mary's County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: Wood framed shed

Owner / Occupants: Owners - Ignatius & Priscilla Thomas

Injuries or Deaths: None

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

Smoke Alarm Status: None

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 2 # Of Firefighters: 60

Time to Control: 60 minutes

Discovered By: Owner

Area of Origin: Interior of Shed

Preliminary Cause: Accidental

Additional Information: The fire began on the interior of the wood framed shed as a result of overloaded wiring. The fire quickly spread to numerous adjacent vehicles and a residence before the fire could be extinguished. Two adults were displaced as a result of the fire and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.