Gaithersburg Townhome Fire Death Ruled Homicide

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Authorities on Tuesday identified the man who died in a Gaithersburg townhouse fire last month, and said the death is now considered a homicide.

Montgomery County Police are investigating the suspicious death of Steven Skalabrin, 63, whose body was found after a March 29 fire at a townhouse in the 1800 block of

Windjammer Way in Gaithersburg.

A smoke alarm warned two occupants of the home, who escaped the fire and called 911. Ultimately, the bulk of the fire was brought under control, and mostly contained to the townhouse's basement.

Captain Darren Francke, director of the police department’s Major Crimes Division, said Skalabrin’s remains were removed from the townhome’s basement March 30 and taken to the office of the medical examiner, where an autopsy was performed March 31.

No results from the autopsy, which could determine how the victim died, have been released.

Francke said the victim was badly burned, he declined to say if there were signs of trauma to Skalabrin’s body.

The victim was identified by his fingerprints, police said.

The department has been helped in its investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Detectives ask anyone who may have information about the death to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070.

»Gaithersburg fire scene photo courtesy of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services