3 Displaced, Firefighter Hurt In New Year's Day Arson: Report

Annapolis MD

05 January, 2022

12:49 PM

Description

ARNOLD, MD — Officials announced that they arrested the suspect accused of a New Year's Day arson in Arnold. A press release said the blaze displaced three adults, injured a firefighter and caused $150,000 in damage. Authorities identified the suspect as 25-year-old Aaron Christopher Skorupa. Officials accused Skorupa of intentionally placing ignitable materials in his grill, setting it on fire and pushing it into the living room. The Anne Arundel County Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit charged Skorupa with: First-degree arsonReckless endangermentMalicious burning Occupants and neighbors reported the emergency in the 400 block of Knottwood Court around 10:41 a.m. Firefighters then found flames coming from the back of the two-story, middle townhome that had functioning smoke detectors. A team of 40 controlled the blaze in 25 minutes and prevented the fire from damaging the neighboring homes. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department thanked these stations for their assistance: Annapolis Fire DepartmentNaval Support Activity Annapolis Fire Department One crew member sustained a minor burn, officials said. Medics took them to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. They were treated and released from the hospital's burn unit. The American Red Cross Southern Maryland Chapter is helping the displaced residents with housing. The other two responding agencies were the Anne Arundel County Police Department as well as Baltimore Gas and Electric. Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County news.