Published: November 09, 2007 11:45 am      

Investigation of recent fires in region far from over

CUMBERLAND - It is not unusual for months to pass by without a report of a major fire or incident of arson. But in the last several weeks that has not been the case. Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office is continuing numerous local investigations and Cumberland Fire Department is leading two of its own.

"Certainly, fires in general have peaks and valleys. Fortunately, we had a quiet extended period and summer season but things started to pick up last month," said Maryland Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray.

Although several of the fires involve arson, Mowbray does not believe that there is "an arson problem."

"Our office does not feel there is an arson problem. We expect to close some of these cases by arrests. We will continue to work these investigations thoroughly to a conclusion," said Mowbray.

Recently, arson charges were filed against 19-year-old Craig Michael Napolitan, with second-degree malicious burning, reckless endangerment and malicious destruction of property in connection with the Oct. 27 fire inside a Frostburg rental property at 127 Wood St. Napolitan is now awaiting trial in district court.

A second deliberately set fire occurred early that same morning on the fifth floor of Frostburg State University's Frederick Hall dormitory. The 4:15 a.m. incident remains under active investigation and an arrest is pending in that investigation, Mowbray said.

The most recent fire occurred Nov. 2 at Oldtown when fire of an unknown origin destroyed the residence of veteran Cumberland Police Cpl. Larry Bennett and his 4-year-old son. Bennett and his son were not at home when the fire broke out at their home at 16901 Cherry Branch Place at about 9:30 p.m. resulting in a loss estimated by fire officials at a minimum of $200,000 to the single-story dwelling and its contents.

Fire investigators said a K-9 arson-detecting dog later scoured the scene but found no presence of fire accelerants that would indicate a deliberately set fire.

The level of destruction caused by the fire has hampered investigators in determining the cause and origin of the fire. The investigation is continuing, although in such cases it is possible the cause of the fire may not be able to be determined by the on-scene investigation.

The fire that heavily damaged a two-apartment building at 11610 Zennia Ave. in Potomac Park also remains under investigation. Two occupants of the apartment where the fire originated escaped and were injured. A ground-floor occupant es-caped without injury from the 4 a.m. blaze.

The incident is also being investigated by the insurance company of the building owners, Curlee and Deborah Miller.

Another active investigation is moving forward in connection with the Sept. 30 fire in a vacant residence at 19508 Ocean Hill Road in Midland. The fire was ruled as arson and caused $50,000 in damages to the property owned by Barbara Mertz. No suspects have been developed in that investigation, according to Mowbray.

The state fire investigators are also continuing to investigate two deliberately set fires of mobile homes on Asbury Avenue in LaVale. The first one occurred Oct. 6 at an unoccupied residence owned by Susan Riggleman. The loss was estimated at $25,000 and investigation determined the fire was an act of arson.

Three weeks later, fire destroyed a single-family dwelling at 16 Asbury Ave. owned by Michael Bloom. Investigators determined the fire was deliberately set with an ignitable liquid.

"We believe these two fires are related based on the burn patterns that indicate an accelerant was used in both cases," said Mowbray. Time of day of each fire and the proximity of the locations also cause investigators to view the fires as being related. A forensic laboratory will identify exactly what accelerants were used in each fire.

In Cumberland, two fires on the East Side that were determined by City Fire Marshal Boyce Rogers to be suspicious in nature remain under investigation. The fires occurred Sept. 28 at a vacant, two-story residence at 318 North Waverly Terrace and Oct. 23 at a vacant residence at 6 Broadway Circle.

"Both of these fires have been determined to be arson. But there is nothing to indicate that they were started by the same person," said Rogers.

Those investigations are continuing with assistance from the Cumberland Police Department, Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office and the C3I Unit.

Anyone with information on any of the fires may contact the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office at (301) 729-5021 or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-492-7529. Cumberland Fire Department may be contacted at (301) 759-6485.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.