Apartment Fire May Be Work Of D.C. Area Arsonist; 39th Fire Listed

Mt. Rainier, MD -- An early morning apartment fire in the 4200 block of Russell Avenue has been classified as arson. The blaze caught several residents by surprise just before 1 a.m. this morning.

Responding firefighters assisted four residents from the three-story apartment building. Those residents were evaluated for injuries but did not require treatment.

Fire investigators evaluating the scene requested the assistance of the Arson Task Force. After further evaluation, the Arson Task Force is now handling the case.

This is the 39th arson in a string of cases occurring in the Washington Metropolitan Region since March of 2003.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Arson Task Force at 301-77-ARSON. A $35,000 reward is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for these crimes.

For a copy of the suspect sketch, community prevention information, and additional information about previous cases, please visit The Prince George's County Fire Department