Dave Statter
STATter911.com
LARGO, Md. — STATter911.com has learned a handful of volunteer firefighters in Prince George’s County, Maryland have been suspended as fire investigators try to determine if an arson ring has been operating in the county. Sources familiar with the investigation, but not authorized to speak for the department on the matter, indicate the allegations were brought to the attention of the investigators in recent weeks.
According to the sources, the claims center around fires set in homes in the county.
No arrests have been made, but due to the serious nature of the allegations officials determined the firefighters under investigation should not be part of emergency operations as the probe continues.
The Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department is among the departments being investigated. When contacted by STATter911.com Chief Charles Ryan III said, “Riverdale is cooperating fully with the investigation”. Chief Ryan would not provide further comment.
Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady would not comment specifically about allegations against firefighters. Brady did release a statement that confirms an investigation is underway into a series of recent house fires in the county.
According to the statement, the department is “currently investigating a number of fires that are of a suspicious nature”. Brady referred to it as “an active and on-going investigation”. He writes, “At this point in the investigation nothing has been ruled out”. Brady also confirms there have been no arrests.
Here is the list of fires included in the investigation. Brady indicated the probe is not limited to just these fires:
2/14/09 0536 hours 4603 East West Highway, Riverdale
2/27/09 0344 hours 6310 K Street, Chapel Oaks
3/7/09 0533 hours 11207 Livingston Road, Ft. Washington
3/8/09 0037 hours 4410 Josephine Avenue, Beltsville
3/27/09 0109 hours 5601 Tilden Road, Bladensburg
3/29/09 0454 hours Baltimore Avenue / Madison Street