A Hagerstown man has been charged with arson after a fire on Sunday afternoon that spread from a trash can to a home’s front porch.
The Hagerstown Fire Department responded to a residence at 428 Mitchell Avenue shortly before 12:40 p.m. on September 21. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported. The Office of the State Fire Marshal was called to investigate.
Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the fire had been intentionally set. Witness interviews identified 20-year-old Brandon Gaither as a suspect. Hagerstown Police later located Gaither near Winter Street and Church Street, where he was taken into custody. During questioning, he admitted to starting the fire.
Gaither was charged with second-degree arson and second-degree malicious burning. He was booked at the Washington County Detention Center and released on his own recognizance after a hearing before a District Court Commissioner.
Photo credits to Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal
