Arson Charge Filed In Jilly's Restaurant Fire

PIKESVILLE, MD — A Pikesville man has been charged with second-degree arson in connection with the fire that destroyed Jilly's Bar and Grill Wednesday morning, officials said.

Fire investigators determined four outdoor heaters had been ignited and tipped against the side of the restaurant wall in the 1000 block of Reisterstown Road. Paneling caught fire and spread.

David McDermott, 40, of the unit block of Hawthorne Avenue, is being held without bail related to the fire at Jilly's, which is closed until further notice.

Officials said McDermott had been issued a no-trespass order the day before and "made statements that he would be back" to the restaurant.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 3:55 a.m. Wednesday and found the establishment engulfed in flames, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department.

Assisting in the investigation were an accelerant detection dog from the Howard County Fire Marshal's Office; members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and personnel from the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.

Officers at the scene who were familiar with McDermott said they saw him walking in the area of the crime scene, determined he was responsible and arrested him.

Related: 3-Alarm Fire In Pikesville: Jilly's Collapsed, Officials Say