An arsonist succeeded in destroying an abandoned SUV in Indian Head on a second attempt. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the owner of a 2001 Ford Expedition abandoned it on vacant property on Strauss Avenue about a year ago.
According to Deputy Fire Marshall Caryn McMahon, on December 14th, “The interior passenger compartment of the vehicle was intentionally set on fire. An ignitable liquid was poured throughout the vehicle but the fire burned itself out prior to destroying the vehicle. A second fire was set to the same vehicle the following morning on December 15th at 2:34 a.m. The entire vehicle was fully engulfed when the fire department arrived and was completely destroyed by fire.” Damage is estimated at $4,500.
Firefighters from the Potomac Heights VFD responded to the call and it took ten minutes to bring it under control. The address of the property is 4710 Strauss Avenue. An arson fire was reported on December 10th at a vacant house a short distance away at 4620 Strauss Avenue. That fire is also under investigation.
The fire marshal’s office is asking anyone with information about the fire to call them at 443-550-6831.
