Woman Sets Fire To Leisure World Home: Officials

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Virginia woman has been charged with setting fire to a Leisure World home and causing approximately $350,000 in damage, officials said.

Marcelina Esther Bowman, 55, of Fairfax, Virginia, was arrested in the Commonwealth on Friday, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer. She was charged with first-degree arson, malicious destruction of property, and reckless endangerment.

ARSON ARREST (@MontgomeryCoMD 2a, 5/13 Edelmar Dr, Leisure World, house fire) Marcelina Esther Bowman, age 55, no fixed address, arrested (5/15) in Fairfax City, Va, RE @mcfrs Fire/Explosive Investigators Charges: 1st Degee Arson; Malicious Destruction (2); Reckless Endangerment pic.twitter.com/HXKnNqlauX
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 16, 2020

Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Montgomery County fire officials responded to a fire in the 14690 block of Edelmar Drive.

Piringer said the fire started in the bedroom and spread to the attic. All occupants got out safely and a resident was displaced.

It is not immediately clear why Bowman was at the residence. But Bethesda Beat reports she was a house guest.

Fairfax City police said they arrested Bowman on Friday and took her to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where she is awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.