Hagerstown Man Arrested for Arson After High-Rise Fire Displaces Residents

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Stephen Jones, a 33-year-old Hagerstown man, has been arrested in connection with a fire that occurred at Potomac Towers, a high-rise apartment building. The incident led to the evacuation of approximately 200 residents and resulted in injuries to one firefighter.

The fire was initially reported just after 3:00 a.m. on October 26, 2025, when the Hagerstown Fire Department responded to an automatic fire alarm at the 326-unit, fourteen-story complex located at 11 W. Baltimore Street. Upon arrival, firefighters were alerted to smoke filling the building, which prompted an upgrade of the incident to an apartment fire, bringing multiple fire departments from surrounding areas to the scene. The fire was located on the eighth floor. Firefighters utilized the building’s standpipe system and were able to bring the blaze under control relatively quickly. However, heavy smoke conditions persisted on the upper floors, where a significant number of residents are elderly or have mobility challenges. Emergency personnel initiated evacuations and sheltered residents in place as needed.

During the response, firefighters rescued Jones from the balcony of his apartment. He was transported by Community Rescue Service to Meritus Medical Center and subsequently admitted.

Deputy State Fire Marshals were called to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. Their investigation determined that Jones had intentionally set multiple fires within his apartment. It was also discovered that he had moved his refrigerator and propped it on its side in front of the apartment door, an action investigators believe was intended to impede firefighters from accessing the apartment during the fire.

Jones was released from Meritus Medical Center on November 4, 2025. He was taken into custody by Deputy State Fire Marshals and transported to the Washington County Central Detention Center. He faces charges including first-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, and reckless endangerment. Jones is currently being held without bond.

Potomac Towers, owned by the Hagerstown Housing Authority, serves individuals aged 55 and older or those with disabilities. The fire is estimated to have caused $300,000 in damages. Residents who were displaced by the fire were provided temporary shelter in the building’s community room with assistance from the American Red Cross. Fortunately, all residents, with the exception of those residing in the apartments directly affected by the fire, were able to return to their homes later that evening.

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

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