Published: November 05, 2009 11:51 pm      

Morgantown man faces arson charge in Eckhart fire

ECKHART — A Morgantown, W.Va., man was arrested Wednesday by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office for allegedly setting fire to his unoccupied residence on Piney Mountain Road in May.

Phillip Ransom Yates, 49, formerly of Frostburg, was charged with first-degree arson and malicious burning/fraud in connection with the May 25 fire at 10311 Piney Mountain Road. He was released later in the day on his personal recognizance following a bond hearing by a district court commissioner.

The fire caused an estimated loss of $50,000 to the single-story dwelling and its contents, according to the fire marshal’s office.

Investigators said the fire originated in a small room off the hallway. Yates no longer wanted the property and had moved furniture and other belongings from the residence the day of the fire, according to the fire marshal’s office.

Yates was charged after he turned himself in to the fire marshal’s office at the Maryland State Police barrack in LaVale. He was then served with the arrest warrant that was issued by district court Oct. 13.

Several fire companies responded to the scene to extinguish the fire that occurred shortly after 5 p.m.