Crime & Safety
Joppa Auto Shop Burned Twice in 2 Weeks
The Maryland State Fire Marshal is seeking public assistance in a suspected arson.
By Sean Welsh
An automotive shop in Joppa was the target of two suspected arsons in the past two weeks, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.
The business, located in the 1300 block of Paul's Lane in Joppa, was burned overnight on Monday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Aug. 18, a release from the fire marshal said.
The combined damage was $425,000, according to the fire marshal.
Monday's fire occurred around 2 a.m. in an open parking lot, destroying a 1997 Honda Civic and a 1987 Sea Ray Seville 21-foot boat, the fire marshal said. In addition, another five vehicles were covered with a liquid accelerant "in an attempt to set them on fire unsuccessfully," the release stated. That incident caused approximately $25,000 in damage.
The Aug. 18 blaze occurred around 12:45 a.m. in a storage bay of the building, causing an approximate loss of $400,000, the release said. The cause of that fire was still under investigation as of Tuesday.
Anyone with information may contact the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Elkton office at 410-996-2793, or the arson hotline at 1-800-492-7529.
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