Edgewood Arson: Resident Charged In Townhouse Blaze, Fire Marshal Says

EDGEWOOD, MD — An Edgewood man has been charged with arson in connection with a townhouse fire that happened more than a week ago, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

John Wayne Maatta, 32, is charged with first-degree arson and reckless endangerment in connection with the April 9 fire at the townhouse where he lived in the 1400 block of Charlestown Drive.

Authorities allege Maatta barricaded himself in his bedroom and set a fire in a suicide attempt but, after experiencing the initial effects of the heat and flames, decided to go out his bedroom window.

Maata was lying in the front yard when crews arrived after 10:30 p.m. He was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for an evaluation. While at the hospital, officials said the man admitted he set the fire on purpose.

Related: Resident To Be Charged In Edgewood Townhouse Arson

There were seven other people who lived in the home, according to the fire marshal.

Firefighters contained the blaze to the bedroom where the fire started. As a result of the blaze, there was $5,000 in structural damage, the fire marshal said, and $5,000 worth of items were lost.

Maatta was arrested Wednesday and is being held at the Harford County Detention Center without bond.

Photo courtesy of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.