EXCLUSIVE: After devastating fire, Salisbury woman focuses on rebuilding

SALISBURY, Md. — A Salisbury man faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say he intentionally set fire to his home over the weekend in Wicomico County.

Gwendolyn Satterfield, the homeowner, said she was not home when the fire occurred but was on the phone with the person accused of setting it.

“I wasn’t home. I was actually on the phone with the person, and he was talking me through it as he was doing it,” she said. “So, we called the authorities from where we were and had them get here as soon as possible, and they did an awesome job.”

Satterfield is now trying to make sense of a fire that damaged part of her home and disrupted her life.

“I don’t know. I mean, we’ve been together over 30 years, and I just, I don’t know,” she said.

On Oct. 24, the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire in Salisbury. Firefighters later requested assistance from the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal to investigate.

Deputy Chief Matt Stevens of the Office of the State Fire Marshal said investigators used burn patterns and the severity of the damage to determine the fire’s origin and cause.

“We base our investigation on the burn patterns and severity of damage, and we were able to locate a pretty good point of origin and determine that the fire was intentionally and maliciously set,” Stevens said.

According to court documents obtained by WMDT, a family member alleged that Michael Satterfield called his wife and talked her through setting the house on fire while pouring gasoline in the garage.

Michael Satterfield faces several charges, including first- and second-degree arson, first- and second-degree malicious burning, threat of arson, intoxicated endangerment, reckless endangerment and five counts of animal cruelty — one for each cat left inside the burning home.

“He’s facing possibly imprisonment of over 72 years and fines over $105,000,” Stevens said.

Gwendolyn Satterfield said the damage to her home was extensive, including damage caused by firefighting efforts.

Gwendolyn Satterfield said the fire caused extensive damage to the garage and laundry room, along with water damage throughout parts of the home. She also lost tools, equipment, and other belongings.

Despite the damage, Satterfield remains grateful to the local fire departments for their efforts to save her home and cats.

“The fire departments around here did an amazing job. They saved almost the whole backside of the house,” she said.

Stevens said all five cats survived, thanks in part to closed doors that helped limit the spread of smoke and heat. Not knowing whether her cats were safe made the situation even more difficult for Satterfield.

After several days, she was able to retrieve the last kitten from the home.

“That’s the best, best finish right there — got my kitties,” she said.

With her cats safe, Satterfield is now working to rebuild her life. Community members and neighbors have also stepped up to support her by organizing a GoFundMe campaign.

Satterfield said her insurance company has helped arrange temporary accommodations and provided money for daily expenses while she works to find housing for herself and her children.

“My insurance company is doing a wonderful job. I’ve got a hotel for tonight, starting tonight, and they’re working on temporary housing for me and my kids,” she said. “They’re sending me money to do daily, you know, daily, whatever I need to do.”

She also thanked her employer for giving her time off to handle the aftermath of the fire.

“My work has been great. They give me time off to do what I need to do this week and just try and put things back together one day at a time,” she said.

Satterfield said her homeowners association and other community members have also offered assistance.

“My HOA and how they’re stepping up and trying to help — it’s amazing. Everyone has come out and been very helpful in the community. So, I’d like to thank all of them, too,” she said.

Those who would like to support Gwendolyn Satterfield can contribute through the GoFundMe campaign linked here.