Malcolm Xavier Brown, 28, is behind bars after being connected to a townhouse fire that damaged some of his neighbors' homes and put them at risk, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
The incident began shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, when first responders were called to investigate a townhouse fire in the 5800 block of Rosebay Court.
Upon arrival, fire personnel "reported observing a suspicious male playing a guitar outside the burning residence before he fled the scene," investigators said.
The guitarist, later identified as Brown, was tracked by deputies to the Wawa on Ballenger Creek Pike. He was initially uncooperative, the sheriff's office said, but was detained pending further investigation at the time.
Officials say that the preliminary investigation determined that Brown allegedly intentionally set fire to his own townhome.
They noted the structure was physically attached to other occupied residences at the time of the fire, creating a significant risk to neighboring residents.
Brown is charged with:
- First-degree arson;
- Second-degree arson;
- Reckless endangerment;
- Malicious destruction of property more than $1,000.
The fire remains under investigation as of Friday, Feb. 20.
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