LaValle, MD – Witnesses reported a male suspect fleeing the scene of a vehicle fire on Thursday in LaValle and now fire marshals are investigating the incident as an arson investigation.
Deputy State Fire Marshals are asking for assistance identifying a person who was seen running from the area of an early Thursday morning vehicle fire in LaVale.
“At around 5:45 a.m., LaVale Volunteer Fire Department, Inc responded to the LaVale Automotive Service located at 12 National Highway after a passerby reported the fire. Firefighters arrived and discovered the bulk of the fire was contained to the hood of a 1999 Grand Cherokee and were able extinguish it before it spread to any other vehicles or the building,” the agency said today. “Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded the fire was arson after a suspect poured a flammable liquid on the hood. The SUV was a total loss after the fire caused $2,500 in damages, and the Jeep’s owner told investigators they used the SUV as a contracted mail delivery vehicle.”
Multiple witnesses reported seeing a man running up National Highway from the automotive shop just seconds before discovering the Jeep on fire.
The suspect was described as a white male wearing light-colored pants and a dark shirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy State Fire Marshal R. Reed at 301-729-5542.