From the Office of the State Fire Marshal:
FOREST HILL, MD (January 15, 2015) – A joint investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of George Dirk Vahlke Chenoweth (41) after investigators determined he intentionally set a fire inside the 2nd floor living room of his two-story single family home.
The 3:53 p.m. one alarm blaze was brought under control within 45 minutes by nearly 40 firefighters from Bel Air, Fallston, Whiteford, Jarrettsville, Level and York County #57 Volunteer Fire Departments. Neighbors observed the flames coming from the home and notified 911. Investigators determined the fire originated on the interior 2nd floor and a scan performed by an accelerant K-9 team indicated positive results for accelerants inside the living room. Interviews at the scene revealed the suspect was observed fleeing into the woods after the fire was observed coming from the house.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office dispatched Sable 1 into the area and the suspect was taken into custody at approximately 8:30 p.m. and transported to the Bel Air MSP Barrack where he confessed to igniting the fire. He was subsequently charged with 1st Degree Arson and transported to the Harford County Detention Center for review before a District Court Commissioner.
Damage estimates to the structure and contents is valued at $75,000. No injuries were reported during the incident.
I hope they “burn” his butt with substantial prison time. He put many fire and police personnel at risk with his senseless action. They should also seize his property to pay for the cost of fighting the fire and manpower and equipment it took to search for him.
Idiot.