Salisbury teen faces life in prison after being charged in arson case

SALISBURY, Md. – A 17-year-old from Salisbury is being charged as an adult in an arson investigation.

On August 10th, around 9:54 a.m., the  Salisbury Fire Department responded to 1113 Grant Avenue for a structure fire. Crews were able to control the flames in about 10 minutes, but Deputy State Fire Marshals were requested to investigate how the fire started.

Investigators would determine that the fire was intentionally set in one of the bedrooms of the one-story home. A 17-year-old male was identified as being responsible for setting the fire and was taken to the Wicomico County Detention Center.

Because of the seriousness of the crime, he was denied bail and is being held in jail. The teen is charged with attempted murder to varying degrees, as well as attempted assault and several arson crimes. The attempted murder and assault charges are a result of two occupants being inside the home when the fire was set. Investigators credited a working fire alarm with alerting the victims and allowing them to escape unhurt.

If found guilty of the attempted murder charges, the teen faces life in prison. Should he be found guilty of the fire and assault charges, he faces 199 years in prison and/or a $105,000 fine.