Woman Charged with Torching Neighbor’s Front Door

On July 19 Deputy State Fire Marshals charged a 33-year-old St. Mary’s County woman in connection with an April 7 dwelling fire.

Yvette Lee Brooks was charged with first-degree arson, second-degree malicious burning, and reckless endangerment, for the fire that damaged a townhouse at 21533 Old Missouri Avenue in Lexington Park.

The investigation revealed the defendant poured and lit an ignitable liquid onto the front door of the residence occupied by Carol McCarthy.

Ms. McCarthy was able to quickly discover and extinguish the 3:30 a.m. fire. Damages were estimated at $500.

A neighbor dispute was determined to be the motive for the fire.

Brooks was taken into custody early Thursday without incident. She was taken to St. Mary’s County Detention Center, then later released on her own recognizance after an appearance before a court commissioner.