Hagerstown man charged with arson in downtown fire; other city fires accidental

A Hagerstown man has been charged with second-degree arson and other crimes for allegedly setting fire to the former Snook's Poultry building in downtown Hagerstown, according to the Hagerstown Fire Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

An estimated 90 firefighters from several fire companies battled the blaze Sunday night at 24-28 W. Baltimore St., helping to keep it from spreading to a neighboring building, according to news releases from the fire departments and city fire officials.

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On Tuesday, fire marshals announced Kevin Lee Spielman, 60, was charged after a joint investigation between the city and state fire marshal's offices alleged Spielman set the fire inside the building, the releases state.

The Baltimore Street fire is one of at least four city firefighters have responded to the last few days. The other three were not intentional, Hagerstown Fire Department officials said.

Spielman also was charged with first-degree malicious burning, fourth-degree burglary and malicious destruction of property under $1,000 in the West Baltimore Street fire in downtown Hagerstown, the releases say.

City and state fire investigators worked through Sunday night and into Monday evening, determining the fire was intentionally set, the releases state. With the help of various surveillance cameras, investigators identified Spielman as a suspect.

Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire said in a phone interview Tuesday that Spielman is a resident of Potomac Towers, which is across the street from the building where the arson occurred.

Investigators could see on surveillance video from Potomac Towers and city cameras that Spielman walked into 24-28 W. Baltimore St., walked away and then watched the fire, Alkire said.

Spielman did not provide investigators with a specific motive, Alkire said.

Because officials found several ceilings and sections collapsing in the West Baltimore Street building, fire investigators requested canines from the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Fire Department's urban search and rescue team to check it out, the releases state. The team was available after responding to western Washington County on Monday due to a partial building collapse in downtown Hancock. Search teams concluded no one was inside the downtown Hagerstown building.

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Two firefighters sustained minor injuries at the Baltimore Street fire and had been released from Meritus Medical Center by Monday afternoon, city fire officials said.

All Hagerstown fire resources and numerous other emergency responders went to the fire, which occurred around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the releases state.

“The cooperation and collaboration of our fire marshal’s office with that of the state fire marshal is commendable and led to a successful outcome on the investigation of this incident," Hagerstown Fire Chief John DiBacco said in the city news release. "We are thankful for the support of the state fire marshal’s office during this investigation, and look forward future efforts of working collectively.”

"The arrest of this suspect reveals our partnership with our local fire investigation units and their outstanding commitment to Maryland's citizens," Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray said in the releases. "I want to thank Chief DiBacco and his department for working with our agency to bring this case to a close."

The building used to house Snook's Poultry and is across the alley from the construction site for a sports facility.

On the other side of the building, at 22 W. Baltimore St, is a brick building whose construction aided in keeping the fire from spreading to it, Hagerstown Deputy Fire Chief Adam Hopkins told The Herald-Mail on Monday. Hopkins said its construction, along with firefighters' efforts, helped keep flames from the main fire from further damaging the neighboring building. That brick building has no windows on the side of the adjacent fire.

There was a little smoke and water damage to 22 W. Baltimore St., Hagerstown Fire Marshal Dale Fishack said.

Apartment building fire in Hagerstown's North End was accidental

DiBacco told The Herald-Mail on Tuesday that the fire that displaced several people Thursday night at Mount Royal Apartments, 673 Oak Hill Ave., was a cooking fire that originated in a fourth-floor apartment.

The Red Cross was assisting residents displaced from the building's nine apartments, DiBacco said Friday.

The fire department was alerted to that fire at 6:43 p.m. Thursday.

Monday house fire in West End not suspicious

DiBacco said a house fire in Hagerstown's West End on Monday afternoon was not suspicious and is expected to be ruled accidental or unintentional.

No one was hurt in that fire along the short Chessie Lane, off Main Avenue, but 10 residents were displaced, DiBacco said. The electricity was temporarily turned off to the home and there was some damage to its exterior. The fire did not burn in the interior.

The fire originated in a trash can and burned siding off, he said.

Another fire in recent days was a small kitchen fire, in a pot on a stove, Fishack has said.

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Hagerstown fire officials issue fire safety reminder

Before the Chessie Lane fire on Monday, Hagerstown fire officials issued a reminder about fire safety.

They caution residents to have working smoke alarms, remain in the kitchen while cooking and to keep bedroom doors shut while sleeping at night.

If city residents need help with working smoke alarms, they can call the fire department at 301-791- 2544.

Also, have and practice an escape route in case of a fire, a fire department release cautions. This includes having a place for your family to meet after evacuating.

When evacuating a fire, close the door behind you if it's safe to do so. Do not go back into a building that is on fire.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown man charged with arson in Sunday night downtown fire