The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal investigated separate structure fires in 2020 in Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach, according to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal John Galaska .
Galaska said the first incident investigated occurred on April 23, 2020, shortly after 10:00 P. M. at the 100 block of Dickinson Avenue Dewey Beach, Delaware and involved The Lighthouse Restaurant property structure and boardwalk area under construction. The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company arrived on scene and found heavy flames coming from the structure. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene. State fire investigators were called to the scene and performed an investigation into the fire origin and cause. The cause of this fire was determined to be intentionally started / arson. Fire damage was estimated at $750,000.
The second incident investigated occurred on June 3, 2020, shortly after 12:30 A. M. at the 35000 block of Wolfe Neck Road Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and involved the Aqua – Leisure property structure. The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company arrived on scene and found smoke and flames coming from the structure. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene. State fire investigators were called to the scene and performed an investigation into the fire origin and cause. The cause of this fire was determined to be intentionally started / arson. Fire damaged was estimated at $200,000.
An ongoing criminal investigation into these separate fires by Delaware State Fire Marshal Deputies involving assistance and coordination with the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Delaware State Police, and Dewey Beach Police resulted in Richard B. Lodeski, 44, of Wilmington, Delaware being identified as a person responsible for those separate fires, said Galaska.
On June 17, 2021, Delaware Deputy Fire Marshals obtained warrants for Richard B. Lodeski for the charges of Arson Second Degree and Criminal Tresspass for each incident. Lodeski is currently incarcerated in the State of Maryland for Arson related crimes.
In May Lodeski was sentenced for a string of Baltimore-area arson fires.
Wilmington Man Sentenced In Baltimore-Area Arson Fires, Investigators Looking At Dewey Beach Fires