It was part of a landlord-tenant dispute.
Randy L. Sigler (Photo from Md. State Fire Marshal’s Office)
Hagerstown, Md (KM) The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office has charged a Hagerstown man for threatening to burn down the house he was renting. Randy L. Sigler, 65, was taken into custody on Friday.
At around 2:00 PM, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a landlord-tenant dispute in the 13600 block of Grandview Drive The landlord told deputies that she and her husband were cleaning out the basement of the house Sigler was renting. They told him they were planning to sell the house. Authorities say Sigler became irate and said he was going to burn the house down.
The Sheriff’s Office requested the State Fire Marshal’s Office respond. After an investigation, Fire Marshals determined the threat was credible.
Sigler was located, and charged with one count of arson threat. He was taken to the Washington County Detention Center, and released on personal recognizance.
The Fire Marshal’s Office says threats verbally or in writing to burn down or blow up a structure is a misdemeanor in Maryland which carries a penalty of up to ten years prison and a $10,000 fine.
By Kevin McManus