Investigation into OC fire leads to charges against seasonal resident

Authorities in Ocean City have charged an Easton man, after he allegedly tried to set an apartment building on fire.

A spokeswoman for Ocean City tells 47 ABC Luke Howard III, 18, of Easton,was given a summons that charges him with first degree arson, second degree arson, second degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property (under $1000) and reckless endangerment.

That charges stem from an incident on August 2nd, when Ocean City Police and OC  Fire crews were dispatched to the 400 block of Lark Lane for a reported fire.

Reports say a man, later identified as Howard, poured gasoline on the porch of the two-story, six unit apartment building and lit it on fire.

The fire was reportedly extinguished by a resident of the building before authorities got to the scene.

We’re told around 30 people were occupying the building at the time, but no injuries were reported.

During the investigation, Howard was identified as the suspect. He is apparently a seasonal resident of Ocean City.

Howard is scheduled to appear in Ocean City District Court in September.