LEXINGTON PARK, Md. (July 19, 2010) – Deputy State Fire Marshals arrested a Calvert County man in connection with two arson fires Saturday afternoon. Louis Deonte Smith, 33, of Lusby was taken into custody on the scene of a fire investigators determined he set.
The first fire at 9:09 am. Saturday morning was located at 20141 Point Lookout Road
in Great Mills. Fire was reported in a two story commercial building which had apartments located on the second floor. The fire, discovered by occupants, was located outside of an apartment door in a common hallway. The fire did minimal damage and was quickly extinguished by firefighters from Bay District. Deputy State Fire Marshals determined that the fire was intentionally set and spread to the door of the apartment. The other apartment units were not affected by the fire.
The second fire at 12:57 pm. Saturday afternoon was located at 21210 Bridgett Lane, Lexington Park. A neighbor reported a fire a mobile house trailer and firefighters arrived on scene to find the fire on the exterior wall and underside of the trailer. State Fire Marshals again determined that the fire had been intentionally set to the trailers exterior wall. Damages were estimated at $15,000 and the occupant was displaced from the home and is being assisted by the local American Red Cross. Bay District Fire Department controlled this fire in five minutes.
During the investigation it was determined that the fires may have been set as part of an ongoing dispute that Smith was having. Smith has been charged with two counts of first degree arson, two counts of malicious burning, two counts of malicious destruction of property, and arson threat. He was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he is being held pending an appearance with the District Court Commissioner.
Source: Office of Md. State Fire Marshal