Maryland State Fire Marshal

Martin OMalley Governor

News Release
William E. Barnard State Fire Marshal

CHARLES COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON OF DWELLING

CHARLES COUNTY, MD (December 26, 2012) Deputy State Fire Marshals have concluded an August dwelling fire investigation with the arrest of Craig Brian Simms (43) of Nanjemoy, MD. The 2:04 a.m. fire originally occurred on August 25, 2012 at 7835 Hawthorne Road in La Plata, Charles County. The one alarm blaze took approximately 40 firefighters an estimated 15 minutes to bring under control. Damage estimates to the 2 story single family dwelling is $100,000. No injuries were reported during the incident. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally ignited in the 1st floor living room. The three month long investigation revealed that Simms ignited the fire after a dispute with his ex-girlfriend. He was charged this morning with 1st Degree Arson and Threat of Arson at the Charles County Detention Center where he is being held on unrelated charges.

### 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.

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208