Maryland State Fire Marshal

News Release
Martin OMalley Governor William E. Barnard State Fire Marshal

ARSON FIRE DAMAGES INTERIOR OF CHURCH

CHARLES COUNTY (October 10, 2012) Deputy State Fire Marshals are investigating an intentionally set fire inside the Potomac Heights Baptist Church located at 37 Glymont Road in Potomac Heights, Maryland. The 6:30 a.m. one alarm fire was out before the arrival of Potomac Heights and Indian Head Naval Base fire departments. An employee of the church arrived this morning and observed smoke coming from the building and quickly called 911. Investigators determined accelerants were poured inside through a broken window of the sanctuary and subsequently ignited by an unknown individual(s). The fire damaged carpeting, four upholstered chairs and the interior wall of the church before selfextinguishing. Damage from smoke, soot and fire was estimated at $80,000. The adjoining Christian Academy was not affected and continued with normal operations. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is requesting anyone having information regarding this incident to call the Southern Regional Office at 410-550-6820 or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-492-7529. ### Media contact: Bruce D. Bouch, Deputy State Fire Marshal; 443-324-6876
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal and/or http://facebook.com/MarylandStateFireMarshal.

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