Edgewood Woman Sets Home On Fire With Man Inside: Maryland State Fire Marshal

EDGEWOOD, MD — An Edgewood woman has been charged with arson and attempted murder after officials say she intentionally set the front porch of her home on fire early Sunday morning while someone was inside.

At around 3 a.m. Sunday, Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, surrounding departments and Harford County Sheriff's Office were called to 1127 Shady Drive for a reported house fire. Sheriff's deputies were the first to arrive and discovered a fire on the front porch. Deputies were able to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies found the owner, Christina L. Beattie, inside a neighbor's home. The neighbor reported that Beattie was staying with her after they had assisted with an earlier argument between her and another man staying at the home. They asked Beattie to stay with them for the evening while the man stayed at the home, deputies noted.

Around 20 minutes later, the neighbor told deputies that Beattie left their home and when she came back to her home, Beattie's home was on fire and the man was still inside. Deputy State Fire Marshals were requested to the scene to conduct an investigation. With the assistance of K9 Sky, they concluded the fire was intentionally set.

Beattie has been charged with first- and second-degree arson, first- and second-degree malicious burning, and attempted murder.