Queen Anne’s County, Md (about an hour west of Dover) – September 19, 2017, Deputy State Fire Marshals from the Upper Eastern Regional Office have concluded their investigation of an arson fire in Grasonville with the arrest of an adult male, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Officials said that Sean Nicholas Murphy (27) was taken into custody at his home in 600 block of Caspian Drive in Grasonville on Monday night by Deputy State fire Marshals after being issued a warrant for his arrest.
The fire occurred on Sunday, September 17,2017 at an occupied one story single family home in the 100 block of Jewel Court in Grasonville, Queen Anne’s County, MD. Officials said the fire was intentionally set in multiple locations on the exterior of the home. A neighbor driving by the scene observed smoke and alerted the two occupants, who were sleeping at the time of the fire. The occupants, a 76-year-old woman and her granddaughter were able to exit the home safely. The neighbor then called 911 and alerted the Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department. The neighbor was able to extinguish the fire prior to the arrival of the Grasonville Volunteers, according to officials.
There were no reported injuries. The small exterior fires caused an estimated $3,000 in damages to the home.
During the investigation, Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the home Murphy intentionally poured gasoline and set multiple fires on the exterior of the home, according to authorities.
A Trooper from the Maryland State Police assisted Deputy State Fire Marshals by transporting Murphy from his residence to the Centreville Barrack to be questioned by Deputy State Fire Marshals at the conclusion of them executing a search and seizure warrant at Murphy’s home.
Murphy was later transported to the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center by Deputy State Fire Marshals and charged with 1st Degree Arson, two counts of Reckless Endangerment, 1st Degree Malicious Burning and Malicious Destruction of Property over $1,000.00. Murphy was held on no bond.
If convicted of all charges, Sean Nicholas Murphy faces a maximum penalty of 48 years in prison and/or $67,500 in fines
Image Credits: Maryland Fire Marshals Office