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Three more fires at Springhill Lake declared arson
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Related Topics: GREENBELT, Md.
GREENBELT, Md. (Map, News) - Prince George’s County fire investigators declared three recent fires at the Springhill Lake apartment community in Greenbelt to be arson, raising to seven the number of unsolved set fires at the complex since April.
“Fire investigators are doing everything they can do to identify the person responsible for these crimes,” Fire Chief Lawrence Sedgwick Jr. said in a statement Monday.
According to fire officials, the most recent fire occurred at 10:30 p.m. Sunday at 9154 Springhill Court. Firefighters quickly controlled the fire, which resulted in about $2,000 in damage and no injuries or displacement of residents.
The two other fires occurred on June 28 at 9154 Springhill Court and June 27 at 9146 Edmonston Road. Four other set fires took place April 4-16.
Although all the fires have been caught in their early stages, fire/EMS spokesman Maj. Lawrence Joy Sr. said, “Any amount of damage is too much damage.”
Denver-based Apartment Investment and Management Co. owns the 2,899-unit complex. The number of units reflects those in existence prior to four electrical fires in late March that destroyed six buildings and displaced about 200 people.
“We don’t have a sense as to what would prompt someone to do these types of things that would not only endanger them, but also the lives of the people who live in Springhill Lake,” AIMCO spokeswoman Cynthia Eichner said.
The fire department said it is working with Greenbelt police and AIMCO to investigate the incidents.
Anyone with information about these incidents should contact Prince George’s fire investigators at 301-77-ARSON.
AIMCO is offering a reward of up to $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the cases.
Eichner said the complex has security cameras.
“I’m not sure what we have done more to increase the level of security,” she said, “but those are things that are currently being discussed.”
dfowler@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
12:49 PM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Fire investigators’ qualifications questioned"
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1:58 PM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008
re: "3 teens charged with arson at bus stop"
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7:18 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008
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8:01 AM MST on Thu., Nov. 22, 2007
re: "Essex man charged with arson in Columbia"
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6:47 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
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12:49 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
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12:33 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 3, 2007
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1:10 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 25, 2007
re: "Carroll police: Teens likely culprits in arsons"
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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
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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
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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.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
When I first heard about this fire in the news media, I knew immediately it was one of these boyfriend/girlfriend situations among a certain race of people which usually end in either an arson or acid throwing incident.
100 agree | 120 disagree
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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.
149 agree | 119 disagree
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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
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Examiner Reader said:
I dont normally condone committing crimes...but this case brings a moral smile to my face..."hats-off" Mr. Arsonist
192 agree | 184 disagree
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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
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