Man Convicted of Setting Blaze That Injured D.C. Firefighters Gets 25 Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A man accused of setting a fire last April that hurt several D.C. firefighters was sentenced on Tuesday.

Maurice Dews was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a series of fires in D.C. between 2008 and 2011. Dews will be placed on five years of supervised release following his prison time.

He will also have to undergo mental health treatment, anger management counseling and substance abuse treatment.

In November, Dews pleaded guilty to five counts of arson in DC Superior Court. He also pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated assault while armed from a fire he started in April 2011 in Northeast D.C. Four firefighters were seriously hurt in the fire.

Authorities say that Dews, of Northeast Washington D.C., claimed to be a volunteer firefighter in Bladensburg. They say he was spotted at several fire scenes, taking photographs and shooting video. He even called 9-1-1 to report fires at least 9 times since 2007.

According to a statement of facts, Dews started at least five fires in the District. He has also accepted responsibility for three fires in Prince George's County, Md.

The statement of facts says Dews usually scouted out the residences before he committed the fires and frequently targeted vacant apartments and townhouses in densely populated areas. After setting fire at these buildings, he often called 911 to report the fires.

Dews has been in custody since his arrest on July 6, 2011.

Republished with permission of WUSA-TV