CHANGE MY LOCATION
Local
California News
Multimedia News
Arson damages adult bookstore in Aberdeen
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: Aberdeen, Md.
Aberdeen, Md. (Map, News) - A fire early Sunday morning that charred an adult bookstore on Route 40 was declared an arson by investigators from the state Fire Marshal’s Office.
At about 1:37 a.m., a passing motorist called 911 to report a fire outside an adult bookstore at 225 Pulaski Highway, according to officials at the Susquehanna Hose Company.
Because there is no adult store on that block, firefighters were dispatched to check out two likely candidates — one at the intersection of Route 40 and Oakington Road, the other at Route 40 and Post Road.
“They know their area, so they started out in the right direction,” said Rich Gardiner, volunteer fire department and EMS spokesman.
Responding firefighters from Aberdeen and Havre de Grace found the blaze outside the American Novelty Corp. — a store near Oakington Road on the 2200 block of Pulaski Highway — and had it under control within 10 minutes. They remained at the scene for about an hour, Gardiner said.
Construction debris and storage from a recent renovation had been set on fire behind the building, causing about $5,000 in damage, said Jason Mowbray, deputy chief fire marshal. He would not comment on how fire marshals determined it was an arson because the investigation is ongoing, but Mowbray said he was not aware of any suspects.
The business had apparently been open only a few days or was still in the process of opening when the fire broke out, he said. A “grand opening” still hung over the door, advertising gifts for “bachelor and bachelorette” parties.
The fire caused minor smoke damage to the inside of the building and some fire damage to the single-story building’s attic. The fire marshal’s report listed no damage to the merchandise.
msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
12:49 PM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Fire investigators’ qualifications questioned"
Report as inappropriate
1:58 PM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008
re: "3 teens charged with arson at bus stop"
Report as inappropriate
7:18 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008
re: "3 teens charged with arson at bus stop"
Report as inappropriate
6:47 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
re: "Fire guts adult store, injures firefighter"
Report as inappropriate
12:49 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
re: "Fire guts adult store, injures firefighter"
Report as inappropriate
12:33 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 3, 2007
re: "Arson damages adult bookstore in Aberdeen"
Report as inappropriate
1:10 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 25, 2007
re: "Carroll police: Teens likely culprits in arsons"
Report as inappropriate
Mike Licht said:
Re: Unqualified fire examiners -- Does anyone else remember the unqualified MPD fingerprint examiner? Dozens of cases were thrown out of court when he was exposed. Time to re-examine the Eastern Market fire, since ATF opinions differed from those of DCFD.
7 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
haha i know one of the kids in the case and I'm glad they are locking him away...good riddance
3 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
wonder if any of people who set the porch on fire know what about the elderly woman who died when the dc arsonist set one on her porch. to mr. hats-off with the "moral smile," get a life, and a conscience.
5 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Jeez, pal. Try Strunk and White ("The Elements of Style"). No, it's not a television show or a wine cooler but it'll help.
150 agree | 119 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Sounds like the work of Self-rightous Christians. Also any one who take thier hats off to an arsonist is not a moralist
142 agree | 143 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I dont normally condone committing crimes...but this case brings a moral smile to my face..."hats-off" Mr. Arsonist
193 agree | 184 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
1.2 million for computers.. Get rid of the resident trooper program and they will have several million for equipment and deputies..
149 agree | 159 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree