Salisbury man arrested for arson following house fire investigation

SALISBURY, Md. – A Salisbury man is behind bars after it was determined that he intentionally set fire to a home late last week.

Salisbury Police responded to 302 Decatur Avenue shortly after 4 a.m. Friday, finding evidence of a small fire on the outside of the home. Deputy State Fire Marshals were called in to investigate, determining that the fire was intentionally set. Further investigation revealed that an occupant of the house and a man, identified as 68-year-old Whayland Nelson, had a dispute at the residence earlier that morning and determined that Nelson was the one who set the fire.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Nelson, who was taken into custody Tuesday morning near the Salisbury Police Department. He is being charged with first and second degree arson, second degree malicious burning, second degree assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. Nelson is being held without bond.