EDGEWOOD, Md. — The relative calm of a Harford Commons duplex in Edgewood turned to calamity Monday night after a 911 call for help.
“It was reported possibly up to three people were inside this house,” said Sr. Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire. “The fire department arrived on the scene. They determined that all three occupants had safely exited. The fire fighters made entry into the house, discovered a small fire in the bedroom and completely extinguished that fire within five minutes.”
Investigators soon surmised one of the apparent victims, 38-year-old Lorraine Winston, had set the fire in a bedroom after a quarrel with her brother.
She’s facing some big charges, including First Degree Arson, although the fire was contained to just a corner of the room.
“There’s no such thing as ‘just a small fire’,” said Alkire. “You’ve got to think about fire. It doubles in size every 30 seconds. So a small fire that’s just within inches can easily ignite other combustibles, and given the right conditions inside that home, could easily spread throughout that home.”
Winston is now being held with no bond at the Harford County Detention Center.
