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The Maryland Fire Marshal announced on Monday, Sept. 12 that an 11-year-old has been charged in connection to the fire at Dollar General on South Main Street in Carroll County that caused $2.5 million in damage and destroyed the building.
Shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, first responders in Hampstead were dispatched to the Dollar General Store on South Main Street for a reported building fire.
The fire was upgraded to a two-alarm blaze shortly after first responders arrived, bringing firefighters from Carroll, Baltimore counties, and nearby Pennsylvania to the scene.
It took a team of more than 100 firefighters approximately an hour to control the fire, which caused millions of dollars in damage, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal.
The 11-year-old is now facing criminal charges for destroying the store.
Officials said that the minor was identified last weekend during the investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Hampstead Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
He has been charged with first-degree arson and was released to his parents. The charges are set to be referred to the Department of Juvenile Services.
His name is not being released due to his age.
“I would again like to thank the residents of Carroll County for their support since this devastating fire," State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci said. "I'd also like to express our gratitude for the assistance of the Hampstead Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.”
Officials noted that “juvenile firesetting is a serious issue contributing to dozens of fires yearly in Maryland, (with) about half of these fires are started using smoking materials such as matches and lighters.”
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