Dwelling Fire- Arnold (Kimberly Woods Village)
Date: Saturday, January 1, 2022
Time: 10:41 a.m.
Location/Address: 421 Knottwood Court, Arnold, MD 21012
Type of Incident: Dwelling fire
Description of Structure/Property: Two-story, middle of the row townhouse
Injuries or Deaths: Paramedics transported one firefighter to the Burn Center at John Hopkins Bayview Hospital with a minor burn injury. They were treated and released.
Estimated Dollar Loss: $150,000
Smoke Alarm Status: Present and operational
Assisting Fire Departments: Annapolis Fire Department, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Annapolis Fire Department
Other Assisting Agencies: Anne Arundel County Police, Baltimore Gas and Electric, American Red Cross Southern Maryland Chapter
Number of Alarms: One Alarm with Working Fire Dispatch
Number of Responding Firefighters: 40
Time to Control: 25 minutes
Discovered By: Occupants and neighbors
Area of Origin: Living Room
Preliminary Cause: Incendiary
Additional Information: Firefighters arrived and reported fire evident from the rear of the home. A fire in the living room was extinguished with no damage to the adjoining homes.
Members of the Anne Arundel County Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit determined the fire was intentionally set. They arrested Aaron Christopher Skorupa, 25, and charged him with:
- 1st-degree arson
- Reckless endangerment
- Malicious burning
Investigators determined that Skorupa intentionally placed ignitable materials into his BBQ grill, set it on fire, and pushed the burning grill into the living room of the dwelling.
The fire displaced three adult occupants who are receiving assistance from the Red Cross.