Man Faces Charges in Two-Alarm Fire in Hagerstown
By: Ciara Brown
Updated: February 13, 2013
HAGERSTOWN, MD- The Fire Marshal's Office has arrested and charged a man for his role in a fire that significantly damaged a building in Hagerstown.
Police say 27-year-old Ernest L. Stitelyy Jr. was taken into custody Tuesday morning without incident.
Firefighters battled the two-alarm fire around 11 p.m. Thursday night on 21 West Antietam Street. Throughout the course of the investigation fire marshals learned Stitely was seen in the building with his two dogs prior to the blaze.
Investigators later found documents with Stitely's name on them in the fourth floor apartment.
Fire marshals say Stitely confessed to starting the fire in the apartment's bathtub to stay warm. The blaze caused a fire within the building's open construction, and the flames spread through the upper floors.
Investigators say Stitely confessed to running from the building after he discovered the fire was out of control.
Stitely faces charges of fourth-degree burglary, reckless endangerment, causing a fire through negligence and failing to notify the fire department of an unwanted fire.
Stitley's bond was set at $25,000. He has since posted bond and was released from custody.
Police say 27-year-old Ernest L. Stitelyy Jr. was taken into custody Tuesday morning without incident.
Firefighters battled the two-alarm fire around 11 p.m. Thursday night on 21 West Antietam Street. Throughout the course of the investigation fire marshals learned Stitely was seen in the building with his two dogs prior to the blaze.
Investigators later found documents with Stitely's name on them in the fourth floor apartment.
Fire marshals say Stitely confessed to starting the fire in the apartment's bathtub to stay warm. The blaze caused a fire within the building's open construction, and the flames spread through the upper floors.
Investigators say Stitely confessed to running from the building after he discovered the fire was out of control.
Stitely faces charges of fourth-degree burglary, reckless endangerment, causing a fire through negligence and failing to notify the fire department of an unwanted fire.
Stitley's bond was set at $25,000. He has since posted bond and was released from custody.
