A 19-year-old man has been charged with arson in connection with a massive Fire that destroyed an Advance Auto Parts store in Reisterstown, Maryland. The fire, which broke out in the early morning hours, caused extensive damage to the store and forced nearby residents to evacuate.
The latest from #baltimore county fire: 3 alarm fire at Advanced Auto Parts. A mayday was called at 9:44PM. One firefighter has been removed and is being evaluated with non-life threatening injuries. Firefighters working exterior operations only @wjz pic.twitter.com/AecrhoVu3D
— Kelsey Kushner (@KelseyKushnerTV) July 19, 2023
According to authorities, the suspect, who has not been named, was captured on surveillance video setting the fire. He was arrested a short time later and charged with first-degree arson.
The suspect is currently being held in jail without bail. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
The fire caused extensive damage to the store, which was utterly destroyed. Nearby businesses and homes also sustained damage, and several residents were forced to evacuate.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but authorities say it was intentionally set. They are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Community Reacts to Arson Charge
The arson charge has shocked the community, which has been reeling from the damage caused by the fire. Many residents expressed relief that a suspect has been arrested but also called for justice to be served.
“I’m glad they caught the person responsible, but it’s still heartbreaking to see the damage done,” said one local resident. “I hope that justice is served and that the community can begin to heal.”
Others expressed concern about the impact of the fire on local businesses and the community as a whole. “This is a tight-knit community, and it’s going to take a while for us to recover from this,” said another resident. “But I know that we’ll come together and support each other through this difficult time.”
The Advance Auto Parts store has been a fixture in the community for many years, and residents and business owners have deeply felt its loss. However, many are hopeful that the community will be able to rebuild and move forward in the wake of this tragedy.
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