It's National Arson Awareness Week

This week, May 1 – 7, is National Arson Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Prevent Wildfire Arson — Spread the Facts Not the Fire.”

Wildfire's can take place on underdeveloped wildland or uncultivated land comprised of forest, brush or grassland.

Back in March, Montgomery County experienced several brush/wildfire type of fires. These fires were not classified as arson though. Of particular note were two days in which two large brush/wildfire type fires occurred. You can learn more about those fires below:

Germantown And Boyd's Brush Fires Keep Up County Firefighters Busy

Up County Brush Fires

To learn more on how you can prevent wildfires, please go here: National Arson Awareness Week

You can also go here as well: You Can Prevent Wildfires

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.

Help Needed - Arson Fire at St. Paul's Park

Information needed regarding Monday nights fire in Town of Kensington at St Paul's Park on Plyers Mill Rd. Call MCFRS Arson Tipline 240.777.2263

NEED INFO RE Mon nite's fire Town of Kensington St Paul's Pk on Plyers Mill Rd Call #mcfrs Arson Tipline 240.777.2263 pic.twitter.com/KmKJc4dG99
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 21, 2014

It Is Arson Awareness Week! Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime

It is Arson Awareness Week through May 10.  This years theme: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime.

To learn more about this crime, please go here: Vehicle Arson

Here are some stats via the USFA web site you might find interesting:

Vehicle arson statistics

• From 2008-2010, 14 percent of all fires were vehicle fires. Of these fires, 7 percent were intentionally set. Source: USFA
• From 2004-2006, an estimated 27,900 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred each year in the U.S. These intentionally set fires resulted in an average of approximately 40 deaths, 75 injuries, and $169 million in property loss each year. Source: USFA
• During 2007-2011, local fire departments responded to an average of 20,400 intentionally set vehicle fires, accounting for 7 percent of intentionally set fires and resulting in an average of 32 civilian deaths, 67 civilian injuries, and $176 million in direct property damage. Source: National Fire Protection Association
• Two-thirds of intentionally set vehicle fires occur under the cloak of darkness (9 p.m.-6 a.m.). Source: National Fire Protection Association
• Over the last 10 years (2003-2012), there has been an average of 14,737 vehicle arsons reported, accounting for 26.5 percent of total arsons annually. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

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. 

Have a Child Who Is Experimenting With Fire? We Have a Free Program For You!

Operation Extinguish (OE) is a FREE program, for Montgomery County residents conducted by The Chrysalis Group and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service to provide intervention and educational services for juvenile fire setters and their families.  The program combines psychological evaluation and intervention and fire safety education in an effort to eliminate this behavior.

REFERRALS TO THE PROGRAM

Referrals to the OE program originate from a number of sources:

• State of Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice             
• Montgomery County Police Youth Division               
• Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS)
• Juvenile Court and attorneys
• Parents
• Schools
• Other agencies such as hospitals, residential treatment centers and mental health clinics

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

FAMILY INTERVIEW

This structured interview is designed to assess the severity of the fire setting problem, determine the motive behind the behavior, gather additional information regarding the child and family’s functioning, and develop appropriate recommendations. To complete the assessment, the evaluator also may contact relevant outside agencies and the child’s school.

GROUP SESSIONS

All program participants are required to attend three group meetings. These sessions focus on fire prevention, home safety, survival strategies, and burn injuries as well as peer and family discussions exploring such issues as peer pressure, stress and anger management, impulse control, and healthy decision-making. Participants are encouraged to apply these insights to their fire-related behaviors.

RECOMMENDATIONS may be made for individual, group, or family counseling.

Contact:

William Delaney, Program Manager, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service

William.Delaney@montgomerycountymd.gov

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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National Arson Awareness Week - Prevent Youth Firesetting

Did you know that this week is National Arson Awareness Week?  The theme this year is: Prevent Youth Firesetting.


To learn more about this important topic, please go to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) web site.


Stay Safe,


Bill D

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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News Advisory - Three Arrested in Connection with High School Arson

WHArrestFinal

NEWS ADVISORY: Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators Arrest Two Suspects in String of Early Morning Fires

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2010

Advisory Arson 120320101

NEWS ADVISORY: Arson Awareness Week and News Briefing

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: Public Safety Training Academy
9710 Great Seneca Highway
Rockville, Maryland


ROCKVILLE, Maryland - - Arson Awareness Week is sponsored annually by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to focus public attention on a preventable crime with real victims in every segment of society. The theme for this year’s event, May 2 – 8, is “Community Arson Prevention” in an effort to provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools and places of worship and get more people involved in arson prevention.

Read on: Arson Awareness Week and News Briefing

Arson Awareness Week May 2-8, 2010

This Year's Theme - Community Arson Prevention

Arson is a crime! Did you know that an estimated average of 316,600 intentional fires are reported to fire departments in the US each year causing injuries to 7,825 firefighters and civilians?*

MCFRS would ask you to take a moment to go to the United States Fire Administration (USFA) web site to learn how you can help to prevent arson in your community.

Click here to learn more: Community Arson Prevention

Watch the 2010 Arson Awareness Week Public Service Announcement

As always, please be safe out there!

Bill Delaney
MCFRS Community Life Safety Education

* According to the USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Gaithersburg High School Arson Arrest

Fire explosive investigators arrest 2 individuals in an 8 day old investigation

On April 6, 2010 around 4:30 am Montgomery County Fire and Rescue units were originally dispatched to the unit block Oceania Avenue for a house fire. While units responded, the Emergency Communications Center provided additional information indicating an unknown fire to the rear of Gaithersburg High School (314 South Frederick Avenue). Fire and Rescue personnel from Station 8 (Gaithersburg) arrived on the scene to find the press box behind home plate on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and Montgomery County Fire and Explosive investigators were requested to the scene for an origin and cause investigation. Fire and Explosives investigators determined the fire to be incendiary in nature.

A joint investigation began and included Montgomery County Fire and Explosive investigators, Gaithersburg City Police, District of Columbia Fire Department accelerant canine (FM203) and Montgomery County Public Schools security which includes the Educational Facilities Officer. The accelerant canine alerted investigators to ignitable liquids along an area of the burned press box. The press box contained the public announcement system, athletic equipment for the baseball program and grounds maintenance equipment. Damage was estimated at over $20,000 (building structure and contents).

On Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators arrested 2 individuals for their involvement in this incendiary fire. Fire and Explosive investigators made the arrest of Zachariah Maurer (DOB 3/24/1992) of Gaithersburg and charged him with one count each of the following: 2nd Degree Arson, 1st Degree Malicious Burning, Conspiracy to Commit 2nd Degree Arson, Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Malicious Burning, Disrupting School Activities and two counts of Trespassing/Destroying school property. Bond status for Zachariah Maurer is unknown at the time of this release. A 16 year old male juvenile was also arrested and released to his parents under house arrest and a juvenile hearing is scheduled for Thursday April 15, 2010. Charges for a second 16 year old juvenile are pending.

Arson is one of the leading causes of property loss due to fire in Montgomery County, Maryland and in the United States. Nationally, one-fourth of all fires are arson and over one-half of them are set by juveniles. Fire and Explosive Investigators are asking anyone with information about arson fires to contact the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service ARSON Tip Line at 240-777-2263.

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Early Morning Damascus Arson Fires

Investigators Seek Information

Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators are looking for information regarding multiple intentional set fires in the Damascus area during the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday August 18, 2009. Crime Solvers of Montgomery County will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment in this felony crime.
These fires resulted in damage to straw/haybales, multiple mailboxes, a trash can and were potentially very damaging. Arson fires can be hazardous and damaging to both individual(s) intentionally setting the fires and the intended target. Investigators estimate that these fires caused a total of approximately $25,000 in damage. Below is a timeline of the events and a map is also attached:

3:04 a.m. – Straw / hay bales on fire in the 23600 block of Kings Valley Road
3:34 a.m. – Straw / hay bales on fire at Kings Valley Road and Mountain View Road
4:41 a.m. – Straw / hay bales on fire in the 24500 block of Woodfield School Road
5:00 a.m. – Brush and mailbox fire at 9310 Watkins Road
5:00 a.m. – Mailbox fire at 24215 Primula Court
5:06 a.m. – Multiple mailboxes on fire at 7501, 7505, 7513, 7517 Hawkins Creamery Road
5:34 a.m. – Trash can on fire at 24150 Doreen Drive
7:58 a.m. – Landscaping around mailbox was extinguished by the homeowner at 8908 Primula Drive.

Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators are being assisted by the Montgomery County Police in the on-going investigation. Fire Investigators are also asking the community for assistance in identifying the owner of a gas can which was found in the area of one of the fires. The gas can has unique writing and Fire Investigators believe that the owner can identify the gas can.

The maximum penalty for these fires is 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Montgomery County Fire and Explosive investigators are looking for information from the community to help close this case. Anyone with possible information or knowledge about these fires is asked to contact the Montgomery County Crime Solvers toll-free number at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Citizens can leave tips anonymously through Crime Solvers and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and/or indictment in this felony crime. The reward will be offered for 90 days from the date of this release. The Montgomery County Arson Tipline will also take tips at 240-777-2263. Anyone with possible information or knowledge about these fires is being asked to contact the Montgomery County Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

CHESTNUT LODGE FIRE - Information Needed!

Fire Chief Richard Bowers is asking for your help! Tonight members of our department will be out in the Rockville area handing out flyer's, and speaking with community members, seeking information related to the fire at the historic Chestnut Lodge in Rockville. An example of the flyer is below. If you have any information that you feel might be helpful, please follow the instructions below. All tips are anonymous.

CHESTNUT LODGE FIRE

FIRE INVESTIGATORS ARE SEEKING INFORMATION RELATED TO A FIRE WHICH OCCURRED EARLY ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7 AT THE HISTORIC CHESTNUT LODGE IN ROCKVILLE.

INVESTIGATORS NEED ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING A GROUP OF YOUNG ADULTS OR TEENAGERS OBSERVED IN THE AREA OF THE 500 W.MONTGOMERY AVENUE LATE SATURDAY NIGHT AND/OR EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION TO THE IDENTITIES OF THESE INDIVIDUALS OR ABOUT THIS FIRE PLEASE CONTACT THE ARSON TIP LINE @240.777.2263

ALL INFORMATION IS ANONYMOUS.

Users can enter anonymous web tips at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/poltmpl.asp?url=/content/pol/index.asp

County Executive Isiah Leggett expressed his concern about the recent fire at historic Chestnut Lodge, 500 West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville. Looking on (from left to right) are Battalion Chief Kenneth Korenblatt (Fire Investigation), Fire Chief Richard Bowers, Rockville Mayor Susan Hoffmann, Rockville Volunteer Chief Russell Dawson, Leggett, Sen. Jennie Forehand of Rockville, and Rockville City Councilmembers Anne Robbins and Phyllis Marcuccio. Initially known as the Woodlawn Hotel in the late 1800s, Chestnut Lodge became a private sanitarium in 1910. It was later the setting of a 1964 Columbia Pictures film, “Lilith,” starring Warren Beatty and Jean Seberg.

Arson Awareness Week May 3-9, 2009

This Year's Theme: Arson for Profit

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announces this year’s Arson Awareness Week (AAW) theme – Arson for Profit. The USFA partnered with the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).

The goal of this year’s AAW, May 3-9, is to focus public attention on arson for profit. By drawing people’s at­tention to the alarming statistics about arson for profit, we hope to expand the resources and support neces­sary to reduce this crime. There are many motives for arson - the crime of deliberately and maliciously set­ting fire. Arson for profit, or economic arson, is when businesses or individuals set fires to reduce financial loss, recoup initial investments, or dispose of depreci­ated assets usually for a payout from insurance com­panies. For more go here.

Audio Public Service Announcement