Brian Allen Blank, 41, of Hagerstown, Maryland, faces multiple charges following his arrest early Sunday morning. Maryland State Fire Marshal reports indicate that a fire, ignited by Blank, occurred just before 3:00 a.m. on March 23 in the front yard of his residence on Corbett Street.
Authorities discovered the fire involved charred clothing and noted burn damage to the home’s front porch and door. The investigation revealed that Blank had set ablaze personal items of his estranged partner, with whom he shares two children, by dousing the clothes with gasoline.
At the time of the incident, the couple’s children, aged 17 and 11, were inside the house. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire promptly, preventing any harm to the children.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement, Blank attempted to re-enter the house but was detained. The children’s mother arrived at the scene, confirmed the ownership of the clothes, and took custody of the children.
Blank has been charged with first-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, reckless endangerment, and intoxicated endangerment. He is currently held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.
