Forest Hill Man Charged in Christmas Arson: Fire Marshal

A Forest Hill man has been charged with arson, attempted murder and other offenses after confessing to starting a fire at his home on Christmas morning, officials said.

Nicholas M. Lester, 32, of the 2400 block of Edwards Manor Drive, told the deputies at the scene of the house fire that he intentionally started it, the Office of the State Fire Marshal reported.

Related: Forest Hill House Fire Sends Firefighter to the Hospital

After the fire was reported at 2:48 a.m. on Thursday, the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company arrived and found heavy fire on the first and second floors of the Forest Hill home, according to the fire marshal’s statement.

Two adults and one child were in the basement at the time the blaze began, the statement said.

One person was injured as a result of the fire, and that was a firefighter who fell through a staircase that had been heavily damaged by the flames, according to the statement.

Lester confessed to deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office that he started the fire, and later also he told the fire marshals investigating the incident that he was responsible, according to the fire marshal.

Officials said Lester was arrested without incident and charged with first and second-degree arson; three counts of attempted murder; four counts of reckless endangerment; as well as first and second-degree malicious burning.

Photo Credit: Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company