By Manny Fantis
WUSA9
WASHINGTON — The man allegedly responsible for setting the fire that hurt six DC firefighters last April is in police custody, officials said Thursday.
Maurice Dews, 26, is now charged with setting three fires in DC, and suspected of several others.
“I can say with regard to the scope of the investigation, it’s extended outside of the District of Columbia to communities surrounding the D of C,” said Steven Avato, ATF.
He was arrested and charged with arson and felony destruction of property in a single-story wooden home fire at 813 48th Place, NW.
In a late afternoon news conference, we learned that Maurice Dews, of Northeast Washington D.C., claimed to be a volunteer firefighter in Bladensburg. He was spotted at several fire scenes, taking photographs and shooting video. He even called 9-1-1 to report fires at least 9 times since 2007.
The devastating fire in April that injured five DC firefighters prompted arson investigators to solve a case that haunted them. (A 6th firefighter was hurt in another fire for which Dews is charged.)
Someone was setting fires in DC and after Thursday’s breakthrough arrest, investigators couldn’t hide their satisfaction.
“I think everybody was more than pleased to say the least. It’s certainly going to be a good feeling to notify the firefighters and their families that were injured in that fire,” said DC Fire Marshal Bruce Faust.
“And when one individual for sport decides to start burning places to get a reaction, it’s a good reaction by law enforcement to put handcuffs on him,” said Rich Marianos.
Dews is due in DC Superior Court at 1 p.m. Friday.
Republished with permission from WUSA9.