Fire and Explosive Investigators Arrest Hyattsville Man For Arson

On Monday, April 4 at approximately 7:09 a.m. MCFRS units responded to 9910 Walker House Road in Gaithersburg for a report of fire in the trash room. First arriving units found the fire had already been extinguished by an occupant of the apartment building.

An eyewitness reported an individual leaving the trash room around the time the fire was discovered. Montgomery County Police were contacted, quickly issued a lookout alert, and were able to locate a suspect matching the witness description a short time later at the Gaithersburg Public Library.

While still on scene of the trash room fire at 9910 Walker House Road, occupants from 9904 and 9902 Walker House Road alerted fire and rescue personnel to small fires that had occurred in the trash rooms in those buildings as well. MCFRS Fire Investigators were called to the scene and confirmed the fires had been intentionally set in all three buildings.  

As a result of the investigation, Montgomery County Fire Investigators have arrested Theophilus Robinson, age 21, of Hyattsville, Maryland.  He has been charged with three (3) counts of Arson in the first-degree and three (3) counts of Reckless Endangerment. He is currently being processed and held at the Central Processing Unit on Seven Locks Road in Rockville.

The investigation is ongoing. Fire Investigators indicate there have been multiple, and similar, fires in close proximity to Walker House Road in recent months, as well as in the greater Silver Spring area. Anyone with information regarding Mr. Robinson, or any suspicious fires in the area, are asked to contact the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Arson Tip Line at 240.777.2263.

Two Juveniles Arrested

Yesterday, (11/5) MCFRS Fire Investigators Arrested two juveniles for Arson and other related charges for the fire a house fire on October 28 on Falconcrest Circle in Germantown. One family was displaced, three firefighters were injured and approximately $400k in damages to the structure.

House Fire 301 S. Horners Lane

At approximately 1:20 pm on Wednesday, November 19 units from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched for a house fire at 301 S. Horners Lane in Rockville.  First arriving units reported heavy smoke as they approached the scene, which is only several blocks from Rockville Fire Station #3, and upon arrival reported fire showing and requested additional resources, which eventually escalated to a second alarm.   Three (3) occupants were in the house at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed prior to the arrival of firefighters.  

Approximately seventy-five (75) firefighters responded to the scene. It took firefighters about 25 minutes to 'knock down' the bulk of the fire. There were no injuries.  During the extinguishing efforts a male subject approached a news camera crew and Police Officer and confessed to starting the fire along with some other details.

The on duty Fire Investigators were advised of the confession and other statements made to the cameraman and the subject was taken into custody and transported to Rockville City Police Station for questioning.  An accelerant K9 was requested from Howard County to assist Montgomery County Fire Investigators with the on scene investigation.

Fire Investigators believe the cause of the fire is incendiary in nature and resulted in more than $400,000 in damage.  There were no injuries and the Red Cross assisted six (6) adults who were displaced.  Rockville Fire Marshals & Code Enforcement posted the house unsafe to occupy.

Montgomery County Fire Investigators have charged Carlos Peralta, age 27, of S. Horners Lane with Arson - First Degree and three counts of Reckless Endangerment.  He was being detained at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, in Rockville.

A video can be found on the MCFRS News and Information Page as well.

Arson Awareness Week May 5-11; “Reducing Residential Arson”

This week is Arson Awareness Week and the theme this year is “Reducing Residential Arson.”  Below please find some information from our partners in fire safety, the United States Fire Administration, that will provide more background as well as safety tips on how you can help to safeguard your home against the crime of arson.

Protecting Homes Against Arson

Arrests Made in Playground Fire in Rockville

                                       Four juveniles charged with arson

Montgomery County, MD - - - Fire and Explosive Investigators from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service have arrested four juveniles in connection with setting a fire that destroyed a playground located at the Rockville Civic Center on November 21, 2012. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched shortly after 8:00 p.m. to the 600 block of Edmonston Drive for the report of a playground on fire. Units arrived and found the playground fully engulfed and quickly extinguished the fire.  

Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators, assisted by Rockville City Police, located and arrested four juveniles and filed charges. Because the suspects are juveniles, their names are not being released and the case has been referred to the Department of Juvenile Services. Investigators estimate that the fire caused $160,000 in damages.

Authorities remind residents that they are often the eyes and ears of the community and can expand police and fire presence simply by being alert and reporting suspicious or potentially dangerous activities to authorities. 

Montgomery County Fire Investigators Seek Assistance in Identifying Arson Suspect

Rockville - - - Montgomery County Fire Investigators are asking for assistance in identifying the person responsible for an arson fire at the Ebony Unisex Barber shop at 936 Bonifant Street in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Fire & Rescue units responded to the Ebony Unisex Barber shop at approximately 2:35 a.m. on June 28 and found fire coming from the front of the barber shop.  Fire investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set using an accelerant.  The fire caused approximately $100,000 damage to the structure and its contents.

Earlier in the morning on June 28 around midnight an unidentified male was observed smashing a hole in the front door of the barber shop.  This is the third time in recent weeks that the Ebony Unisex Barber has been the target of vandalism and/or arson.   

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet in height, 200-220 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black shorts and black shoes.  

Anyone with information related to this arson fire is asked to call the Arson tip line at 240-777-2263.

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Arrest Made in Chevy Chase 3 Alarm Fire

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 2, 2012

Arrest Made in Chevy Chase 3 Alarm Fire

                                                 

Rockville - - After midnight this morning, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Investigators arrested 24 year old Abraham Ogazgi Kiflu of Chevy Chase. Fire Chief Richard Bowers stated that the man went to the 3^rd District Police Station during the night and asked to speak with the Fire Marshal. During that interview, Kiflu voluntarily confessed to starting the fire. Kiflu was charged with 1^st Degree Arson. Additional charges are pending. Kiflu is a relative of the tenant and was living there at the time of the fire. Exact circumstances and details are not immediately available due to the continuing investigation.

The fire was reported at 2:15 p.m. on May 1, 2012 at 2815 Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase. Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators report that the fire damaged or destroyed 34 units of which 2 were not occupied and displaced more than 100 people. The fire caused in excess $1,000,000.00 damage to the structure and contents. Approximately 125 fire and rescue personnel responded and were on the scene for more than 4 hours.

No civilians were injured. Two firefighters suffered injuries. One firefighter was transported to a local trauma center with serious non life threatening injuries related to heat and the other with minor orthopedic to a local hospital. Both firefighters have since been released. 

  

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