Man Sets Neighbor's House On Fire, Faces Arson Charges: Firefighters

SEVERNA PARK, MD — A man accused of illegally entering his neighbors' Severna Park home and setting it on fire was arrested Wednesday morning, firefighters said, noting that one crew member was hurt battling the blaze.

Officials identified the suspect as 59-year-old Aaron Keel of Severna Park.

Keel lives in the same neighborhood as the victims. Keel's home is 0.1 miles and eight houses away from the residence he's accused of setting ablaze, according to court records.

Investigators don't yet know the motive for the fire.

“Regardless of the motive, he is accused and facing felony charges for breaking into a house that doesn’t belong to him and setting it on fire,” Capt. Jenny Macallair told Patch in an exclusive interview.

Crews said the house fire happened April 13 in the unit block of Belhaven Court.

Investigators said they determined the fire was intentionally set and linked to an unlawful entry into the private one-story, single-family residence.

“There are multiple origins in the house, the main level and in the attic,” Macallair said. “Fires don’t spread in random spots like that. It’s going to be an arson.”

A photo from the scene shows minimal exterior damage, but Macallair said, “The house is a total loss” because of the water damage and windows broken from the firefighters' response.

Macallair said the home was under renovation and vacant at the time, but one responding firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The first responder is expected to make a full recovery.

“Why do people do that?” Macallair said of the arson. “Even if you don’t think you’re going to hurt somebody because there’s nobody in the house.”

Officials said they executed an arrest and search warrant at the suspect's home, leading to charges of:

• Felony first-degree arson
• Felony second-degree arson
• Felony malicious burning
• Felony home invasion
• Felony third-degree burglary
• Misdemeanor malicious burning
• Misdemeanor burglary
• Misdemeanor malicious destruction of property

The suspect is currently held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing, a press release said.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department asked anybody with information to call 410-222-TIPS.

This map shows the area where crews said the fire happened.