Hagerstown Man Arrested and Charged in Connection with Sunday Porch Fire

HAGERSTOWN, MD – A Hagerstown resident is facing multiple charges, including arson, following a fire that erupted on the porch of a local residence Sunday afternoon. According to information released by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the incident occurred on September 21st in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Emergency services, including the Hagerstown Fire Department, were dispatched to the 428 Mitchell Avenue address shortly before 12:40 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames, which had spread from a trash can to the home’s front porch. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. The Office of the State Fire Marshal was subsequently called to the scene to conduct an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

During their examination, investigators with the Office of the State Fire Marshal determined that the fire had been intentionally set. Through interviews with individuals present at the scene, authorities identified 20-year-old Brandon Gaither as a suspect in the case. Shortly after being identified, officers from the Hagerstown City Police Department located Gaither in the vicinity of Winter Street and Church Street and took him into custody.

During questioning by investigators, Gaither reportedly confessed to starting the fire by igniting a trash can. He has since been formally charged with second-degree arson and second-degree malicious burning. Gaither was processed and booked at the Washington County Detention Center. Following a hearing before a District Court Commissioner, he was released on his own recognizance.

The swift resolution of this case is attributed to the coordinated efforts of the Hagerstown Fire and Police Departments, as well as the diligent work of the State Fire Marshal’s investigators. This incident underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in ensuring community safety and holding individuals accountable for actions that endanger residents and property.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

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