Bizarre Blazes: Arson's Strangest Stories

Episode 131

Sometimes arson investigations are tragic, complicated, and painstakingly difficult.

And sometimes a suspect confesses to a television reporter while the house is still burning behind him.

This week, we take a break from the heavier cases to explore three of the most bizarre stories of criminal combustion they could find: a Maryland house fire with an unusually cooperative suspect, a Christmas Eve Walmart fire involving shoplifting, a lighter, and an astonishing escalation of criminal charges, and a Kansas City arson-for-hire plot that somehow gets stranger with every new detail. 

There are surveillance cameras. There are questionable decisions. There is an undercover ATF agent. There is, inexplicably, a previous fire involving dentures. And there are several moments that will leave you astounded. 

Three fires. Three very different motives. And three reminders that while arson can have devastating real-world consequences, the circumstances surrounding a crime can occasionally become absolutely chaotic.

YouTube clip referenced in the episode: Man Tells ABC 7 News Crew 'I set it on fire'

 

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Inner Sanctum Acknowledgments:
Eternal gratitude to our Inner Sanctum patrons, Melanie Curtis, Beth Charis-Molling, and Brett Russ for helping us bring light to the stories others would rather leave in the ashes.

Listener discretion is advised.

Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated 

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SOURCES:

Rockville, Maryland

• “Alleged Arsonist Has History of Schizophrenia, Alcoholism.” ABC 7 News/WJLA, November 20, 2014. YouTube

• Lewis, Kevin. “‘I Set It on Fire.’ Man Confesses to ABC7 News Crew About Setting Rockville House Ablaze.” ABC 7 News/WJLA, November 20, 2014; updated April 26, 2020.

• “Man Tells ABC 7 News Crew, ‘I Set It on Fire.’” ABC 7 News/WJLA, November 20, 2014. YouTube

• Graves, Mark Segraves. “Alleged Rockville Arsonist Confesses to Journalist.” NBC Washington, November 19, 2014; updated November 20, 2014. NBC Washington

• “House Fire: 301 S. Horners Lane.” Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, November 20, 2014. MCFRS

Hammond, Louisiana

• “Hammond Man Arrested for Christmas Eve Walmart Fire.” Louisiana Office of the State Fire Marshal, December 27, 2022. Louisiana State Fire Marshal news release

• “New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Arson.” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, March 20, 2024. ATF

• “New Orleans Man Sentenced for Arson.” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, October 17, 2024. U.S. Department of Justice

• “Man Faces Arson, Attempted Murder Charges After Walmart Fire on Christmas Eve.” WAFB 9, December 24, 2022; updated December 27, 2022. WAFB 9

• Palermo, Jeff. “Authorities Say Suspect in Christmas Eve Fire Begged Authorities to Remove His Picture from Social Media, Then Confessed.” Louisiana Radio Network, December 28, 2022. Louisiana Radio Network

Kansas City, Missouri

• “Gladstone Woman Charged in Arson-for-Hire Attempt of KC Businesses.” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri, April 29, 2019. ATF

• Margolies, Dan. “Woman Pleads Guilty to Arson-for-Hire Scheme Along Kansas City’s 39th Street Restaurant Row.” KCUR, June 4, 2022. KCUR

• Mashek, Kera. “KC Business Says Ex-Landlord Acted ‘Bizarre’ in Days Prior to Alleged Arson-for-Hire Plot.” FOX4 Kansas City, April 30, 2019. FOX4 Kansas City

• Rice, Glenn E., and Luke Nozicka. “Strip Mall on 39th Street in Arson-for-Hire Case Burned Down Before, in 1990.” The Kansas City Star, April 30, 2019. The Kansas City Star