Stolen Van Recovered In Bel Air Fire

BEL AIR, MD — An arson in Bel Air uncovered a stolen vehicle, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The van had been reported stolen in Baltimore County and was discovered burned on Plumtree Road on Wednesday, Jan. 30, officials said.

A neighbor discovered the fire in the 600 block of Plumtree Road at 7:07 a.m. on Wednesday, the fire marshal reported.

The fire began inside the 2017 Dodge Ram cargo van, investigators said.

About 10 firefighters responded, bringing the blaze under control within 20 minutes.

"On a cold and windy morning, volunteers worked this well-involved vehicle fire on Sommerville Road and Plumtree Road," Rich Gardiner of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company reported.

The fire broke out before a wind advisory went into effect, calling for gusts up to 50 mph. Winds of 46 mph were reported in Perryman around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service.

Once they had controlled the blaze, firefighters found that nobody was inside, Gardiner said, and they discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen.

Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, causing $30,000 in damage.

The owner of the van was EAN Holdings, which operates as Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The vehicle was reported stolen to the Baltimore County Police Department on Monday, Jan. 28, according to authorities.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Northeast Regional Office at 410-836-4844.

Photo courtesy of Mark Ensor/Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.