Teens Charged With Arson In Creswell Road Mansion Fire: Officials

BEL AIR, MD — Two girls have been charged with arson in connection with the fire at the historic Victorian mansion on Creswell Road that broke out in May, according to the fire marshal. The two-alarm blaze caused significant damage to the building that was more than 150 years old.

Both 16-year-old girls were charged as juveniles, Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire told Patch. As a result, they are not being identified.

When the fire broke out at 11:10 a.m. on May 3, officials said more than 50 firefighters were called to the blaze in the 2400 block of Creswell Road. It took hours to control the blaze at the building, which was vacant.

While the structure was on the grounds of the Arrow Child and Family Ministry Center, the building was neither owned nor operated by Arrow.

The mansion was built in 1868 for the last owner of Harford Furnace, Clement Dietrich, and many in Harford County knew it as Old Main for the former Eastern Christian College, investigators said.

"We do know that at the time of the investigation, it was going to be completely razed — it was going to be destroyed," Alkire told Patch.

"Due to the damage, we never really put a price tag on it," he said, adding that it was "probably a million [dollars in damage] due to its historical significance."

In the aftermath of the blaze, deputy fire marshals partnered in the investigation with the Harford County Sheriff's Office and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), which assists when there are large losses.

For days, investigators worked to gather warrants and subpoenas related to the fire, Alkire said. Once the Harford County state's attorney was presented with their findings, charges were filed.

The two 16-year-old girls who live at the Arrow Center were charged with second-degree arson, malicious destruction of property and first-degree malicious burning, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Officials said they were referred to the Department of Juvenile Services.

"They are still in the custody of the Arrow Center," Alkire said Tuesday night. He said the charges were filed last week.

Arrow Crossroads Transitional Living is a residential program for girls ages 13 to 21 in the foster care system that prepares them for independent living. It is located in the 2400 block of Creswell Road.

Due to the ongoing nature of the case, Alkire declined to specify where and how the fire started, other than to say it was intentionally set inside the building, which is at 2408 Creswell Road.

See Also:

• 2-Alarm Fire Breaks Out Off Creswell Road: Officials
• Teens Found After Fire On Creswell Road: Fire Marshal