Reginal Desk: Maryland fire investigators are looking into a suspected case of arson after a vacant residential property on Augustine Herman Highway was damaged by fire for the second time this year.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on August 23, 2025, the Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Company responded to a blaze at 11947 Augustine Herman Highway in Kent County. Firefighters arrived to find flames spreading on the vacant residence. About 40 firefighters from two alarms brought the fire under control within 20 minutes. No injuries were reported. Damage has been estimated at $50,000.
Security cameras from the Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Company captured footage of a subject igniting the fire and fleeing the scene. Investigators have determined the fire was intentionally set. Neither smoke alarms nor sprinkler systems were present in the dwelling.
This incident marks the second time in 2025 that the same vacant structure has been targeted. On February 28, 2025, firefighters were called to the same address for a fire that began at the rear of the residence. That blaze, discovered by a passerby, took 50 minutes to control and caused an estimated $20,000 in damages.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding the August 23 or February 28 fires to contact the Upper Eastern Regional Office at 410-819-3500.
