ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. (Aug. 27, 2013)—Deputy State Fire Marshals have concluded an investigation involving two vacant home fires located in the Golden Beach community of Mechanicsville. Steven Lee Rovinski, age 26, of Golden Beach, was charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree Arson, 2 counts of 2nd Degree Burglary, 2 counts of Malicious Destruction of Property, and 2 counts - Reckless Endangerment. No motive for the fires has been established at this time.
The first fire heavily damaged a vacant house at 39350 Golden Beach Road in Mechanicsville at 5:40 a.m. on July 20. The one alarm fire was placed under control within 20 minutes by approximately 45 firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hughesville, Benedict, Waldorf, La Plata, Hollywood, Bel Alton, and Baden Volunteer Fire Departments. The fire was controlled within 20 minutes. Damage estimates for the fire is $125,000. Investigators determined the fire originated inside the attached garage of the 1-1/2 story, vacant split level home. No injuries were reported during the incident.
The second fire occurred at 4:27 a.m. on July 29, 2013. Approximately 20 firefighters from Hughesville, Mechanicsville, Waldorf, and Benedict Volunteer Fire Departments controlled the vacant house fire within 20 minutes after arrival at 40426 Bay Drive in Golden Beach. No injuries were reported during the incident. Damage estimates for this fire is $135,000. The fire completely destroyed the structure and was determined to have originated inside the 1st floor of the home.
Rovinski remains at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center where he was being held on unrelated charges. If convicted of the charges, he faces up to 106 years imprisonment and/or $115,000 in fines.
Source: Office of Maryland State Fire Marshall