PORT TOBACCO, Md. — A Port Tobacco woman has been charged with first-degree arson after investigators determined she allegedly intentionally set a fire inside a home last month.
Firefighters responded around 2 a.m. Monday, July 27, 2026, to a reported house fire in the 8400 block of Wooddy Road in Port Tobacco.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to investigate the cause of the fire.
Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the fire had been intentionally set after Jennifer Mary Owen, 59, of Port Tobacco, allegedly set fire to a personal item inside the residence.
The fire caused damage to the flooring before it was extinguished.
Investigators learned Owen had been transported from the scene to a local hospital for evaluation.
Following the investigation, Deputy State Fire Marshals obtained an arrest warrant charging Owen in connection with the fire. Court records show the warrant was issued July 27 by Judge Joseph Cunningham.
Owen was taken into custody without incident at her residence Tuesday, Aug. 25, and transported to the Charles County Detention Center.
She was charged with first-degree arson and three counts of reckless endangerment.
Owen was later released on a $10,000 unsecured personal bond.
The case remains pending in Charles County Circuit Court.
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