Maryland Man Arrested for Christmas Eve Arson Amidst Domestic Dispute

According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal, a Hurlock man has been apprehended and charged with multiple counts of arson and other offenses following a domestic dispute that escalated into a fire on Christmas Eve. The incident, which occurred on December 24, 2025, involved alleged intentional fires set inside a residence while the suspect’s mother was still present.

The sequence of events began just before 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when deputies from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a home on Skinners Run Road in response to a domestic disturbance. Upon their arrival, law enforcement discovered a fire within the residence, with the suspect’s mother still inside. Firefighters were quickly on the scene to extinguish the blaze, which reportedly caused less than $1,000 in damages and was prevented from spreading further.

Following the fire’s suppression, the Office of the State Fire Marshal was called to investigate the circumstances. Through a thorough examination of the scene and interviews conducted by Deputy State Fire Marshals, investigators concluded that Matthew B. Haigis, 32, the son of the homeowner, had intentionally set multiple fires inside the residence while his mother was still in the home. Authorities had been actively seeking Haigis since the day of the incident.

The arrest of Haigis was made today through a collaborative effort involving the Maryland State Police and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Haigis was subsequently taken to the Dorchester County Detention Center, where he is currently being held without bond. Authorities have also confirmed that Haigis faces additional charges from Pennsylvania law enforcement, with outstanding warrants in that state. He is expected to be extradited to Pennsylvania at a later date to address those charges.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal has formally charged Haigis with Arson in the First Degree, Malicious Burning in the Second Degree, Arson of a Trash Container, and Reckless Endangerment. In addition to the fire-related charges, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office has also charged Haigis with offenses pertaining to the assault of his mother, including attempted murder.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland State Fire Marshal

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