Fire Marshal Fire Investigations -- Catchup Thread -- May 2021

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WOMAN CHARGED AFTER PINEY POINT HOUSE FIRE

ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD (May 17, 2021) - Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged Jesse M. Russell, 37, after determining she was responsible for intentionally setting curtains on fire in the living room of her Piney Point home yesterday afternoon.

Around 3:30 p.m., deputies with the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office were driving by a home in the 46000 block of Crowder Lane and observed Russell standing in the foyer with flames inside the home. Deputies stopped and ordered Russell out of the home, where deputies then observed a cigarette lighter in her hand. Deputies extinguished the fire with portable fire extinguishers, and Russell was detained. The Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to conduct an origin and cause investigation.

St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office advised they had responded to the same address earlier in the day after a landlord and tenant dispute involving Russell. Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded the fire was intentionally set and determined Russell was responsible for setting the fire during their investigation.

Russell was charged with Arson 1st Degree, Malicious Burning 2nd Degree, and Malicious Destruction of Property under $1,000. Russell is currently being held without bond at St. Mary's County Detention Center.

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5/15/21

Time: 4:33 a.m.

Location / Address: 20284 Park Place, Coltons Point, St. Mary's County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 1 Story Single Family Residence

Owner / Occupants: Brian Bowles

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 50,000.00 Contents: $ 25,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: Unknown

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 30

Time to Control: 15 minutes

Discovered By: Occupants

Area of Origin: Exterior

Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation

Additional Information: The fire was on the exterior of the home and is currently under investigation. One adult and one juvenile were transported to MedStar St. Mary's for evaluation. As a result of the fire, 4 adults and 4 children were displaced and are being assisted by family and the American Red Cross.

 

[Editor]

Photo courtesy of Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department.

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5/15/21

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location / Address: 221 Carriage Lane, Huntingtown, Calvert County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2 Story Single Family Residence

Owner / Occupants: Richard T Dale

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 200,000.00 Contents: $ 100,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: Present - Activated

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 70

Time to Control: 40 minutes

Discovered By: Neighbor

Area of Origin: Exterior

Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation

Additional Information: A neighbor assisted the occupant in getting out of the residence. No injuries were reported. The owner of house is being assisted by family.

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5/17/21

Time: 1:18 p.m.

Location / Address: 12596 Childress Road, Lusby, Calvert County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2 Story Single Family Dwelling

Owner / Occupants: Nicholas Allen

Injuries or Deaths: None

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

Smoke Alarm Status: Present - Activated

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Solomons Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 40

Time to Control: 30 minutes

Discovered By: Homeowner

Area of Origin: Attic

Preliminary Cause: Accidental

Additional Information: The accidental fire occurred in the attic area of the single family home. All occupants of the home escaped without injury.

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5/20/21

Time: 2:30 a.m.

Location / Address: 17476 Piney Point Road, Piney Point, St. Mary's County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2003 Ford F-150

Owner / Occupants: George Russell

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 4,000.00 Contents: $

Smoke Alarm Status: N/A

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Second District Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 20

Time to Control: 10 minutes

Discovered By: Neighbor

Area of Origin: Bed of Truck

Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation

Additional Information: Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Southern Regional Office, at 443-550-6832.

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5/19/21

Time: 10:55 a.m.

Location / Address: 20411 Bowles Road, Colton's Point, St. Mary's County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: Barn

Owner / Occupants: Bobby Penkert

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 10,000.00 Contents: $ 140,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: N/A

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 20

Time to Control: 10 minutes

Discovered By: Property Owner

Area of Origin: Interior of Barn

Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation

Additional Information: The fire destroyed the barn and contents. The fire extended to a truck and boat adjacent to the barn.

 

[Editor]

INVESTIGATION INTO MULTI-ALARM FIRE CONTINUES

CALVERT COUNTY, MD (May 25, 2021) - As the sun begins to rise in Southern Maryland, Deputy State Fire Marshals are beginning to get a clearer picture of last night's devastating multi-alarm fire in Solomons.

Around 10:45 p.m. on May 24, firefighters were dispatched to 13860 HG Trueman Road for a building fire. Firefighters arrived to find the small strip mall located just before the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge ablaze. Multiple fire departments from Calvert, St. Mary's, and Charles counties responded to the scene to assist in bringing the fire under control. Firefighters were successful in rescuing two pets from Solomons Veterinary Medical Center. No injuries have been reported.

Excavators have been brought to the scene to assist with removing heavy debris to assist investigators with determining the origin and cause of the fire. Initial reports included witnesses hearing an explosion before the fire; however, this has not been confirmed.

The business affected are Solomons Veterinary Medical Center, Patuxent Adventure Center, Vintage Treasures and Used Furniture, Tiki Tanning and Boutique, and HLW Electric.

An estimated dollar has not been established at this time. Deputy State Fire Marshals are assisted by K9's "Sky" and "Zoro," a standard operating procedure on any large-scale incident.

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CAUSE DETERMINED IN MULTI-ALARM SOLOMONS FIRE

CALVERT COUNTY, MD (May 25, 2021) - The Office of the State Fire Marshal, in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, has concluded the cause of last night's multi-alarm fire that caused nearly 3 million in damages was an accident.

Investigators determined a candle being used by a homeless person taking refuge inside a camper trailer located to the rear of the building ignited combustibles before spreading to the adjacent structure. The subject inside the 25-foot trailer was able to escape and temporarily fled from the area.

Investigators worked throughout the night and into the early morning hours and identified the 38-year-old man after being transported to a local hospital for an unrelated medical emergency.

Firefighters were dispatched to 13860 HG Trueman Road in Solomons around 10:45 p.m. for a building fire. Firefighters arrived to find the shopping plaza located just before the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge ablaze. It took nearly 4-hours and multiple fire departments from Calvert, St. Mary's, Charles, and Prince Georges counties to bring the fire under control. No injuries were reported, and firefighters were successful in rescuing two pets from Solomons Veterinary Medical Center.

The investigation continues, and Deputy State Fire Marshals will consult with the Calvert County State's Attorney's Office relating to the subject trespassing onto the property.

Photos: Office of the State Fire Marshal

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5/26/21

Time: 7:26 p.m.

Location / Address: 12660 Charles Street, Charlotte Hall, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 1999 Ford F-350

Owner / Occupants: We Pave Maryland

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 15,000.00 Contents: $ 0

Smoke Alarm Status: N/A

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Dentsville Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 8

Time to Control: 10 minutes

Discovered By: Passer-By

Area of Origin: Truck Bed

Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation

Additional Information: There were no injuries 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 443-550-6835.

 

[Editor]

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 5/27/21

Time: 8:25 p.m.

Location / Address: 3000 Block of Heathcote Road, Waldorf, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2 Story, Middle of the Group, Townhome

Owner / Occupants: Daniel and Carol Hall

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 40,000.00 Contents: $ 10,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: Present - Activated

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 46

Time to Control: 15 minutes

Discovered By: Occupant

Area of Origin: Upstairs Bedroom

Preliminary Cause: Accidental / Electrical Event

Additional Information: The two occupants, along with 3 dogs, were able to escape safely and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.