Forest Hill Man Charged with Setting His House on Fire: Officials

A Forest Hill man has been charged after authorities say he set fire to his own home Wednesday afternoon, then fled the scene.

George Dirk Bahlke Chenoweth, 41, of the 1200 block of Walters Mill Road, has been charged with first-degree arson.

Neighbors said they saw flames coming from Chenoweth’s house at 3:53 p.m. Wednesday and called 911, according to a report from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

As flames were coming from the home, witnesses said they saw Chenoweth run into the woods, according to the report.

Approximately 40 firefighters from Bel Air, Fallston, Whiteford, Jarrettsville, Level and York County, Penn., responded, the fire marshal said.

Crews faced ”hoarding conditions” that complicated firefighting operations, according to Rich Gardiner of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, who said at 4:22 p.m. the blaze was placed under control.

Related: House Fire Reported in Forest Hill

Investigators determined that the fire began on the second floor, where a K-9 team found accelerant in the living room, according to the fire marshal.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, which is housed in Forest Hill, conducted a search for Chenoweth, who was taken into custody at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, the fire marshal reported.

Chenoweth was taken to the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack, where he confessed to setting the fire, according to the fire marshal.

After being charged, he was booked at the detention center and was awaiting a bail review before the commissioner Thursday morning, according to the report.

There was an estimated $75,000 in damage, according to the fire marshal, who said there were no injuries.

Photo Credit: Mark Ensor, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company

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