Man Arrested After Firefighter Injured in Arson at Baltimore Auto Parts Store
BALTIMORE – A man has been arrested after a firefighter was injured in what officials are calling an arson at an Advance Auto Parts store in Reisterstown on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred at the Advance Auto Parts store located in a shopping plaza in the 11900 block of Reisterstown Road, where a three-alarm fire erupted.
At 9:44 p.m., a distress signal known as “Mayday” was called, alerting authorities to the fire. Police charged a man at the scene with first-degree arson.
The flames proved difficult to extinguish due to the materials inside the building, as firefighters faced challenges in battling the fire. During the operation, a lieutenant was injured when part of the ceiling collapsed on them. The Baltimore County Fire Department swiftly dispatched a rescue team to retrieve the injured firefighter.
According to a spokesperson for the Baltimore County Fire Department, the firefighter was disoriented but fortunately okay. The injured individual was promptly removed from the fire and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. As of now, the firefighter has been discharged from the hospital.
Units remained at the scene throughout Wednesday morning to address any hot spots. Unfortunately, the building was declared a total loss by fire officials, who have also announced plans to tear down the store. “An auto parts store has a very heavy fire load,” explained the fire officials. “There’s flammable materials. There’s petroleum-based products, there’s rubber, there’s fuel. They’re all kinds of materials that can burn.”
Drone footage captured by a WJZ viewer showcases the aftermath of the devastating fire. Reisterstown resident Myles Taylor expressed disbelief, saying, “I just couldn’t believe it because nothing like this really happens.”
In an unrelated incident, Baltimore County Police responded to an armed robbery at a nearby Royal Farms just minutes before the fire was reported. The suspect, armed with a handgun, fled the scene after taking money. Police have not yet determined if the two incidents are connected.
Reisterstown residents expressed disappointment over the destruction of the shopping center. The recently remodeled center will now have to be rebuilt from scratch, residents said.
The investigation into the arson incident and its connection to the armed robbery is ongoing.
Sources: CBS Baltimore, Twitter