Frederick, Maryland firefighter accused of trying to set seriously ill ATF agent's home on fire. Police say Independent Hose volunteer claims he's in love with the woman.
A firefighter with the Independent Hose Company of Frederick, Maryland has been charged with attempted arson. According to Frederick Police, 43-year-old John Christopher Woods, who has been a volunteer member for more than 15 years, was arrested early Thursday morning after a police officer saw him using a gas grill in an effort to set the home on fire. Brian Englar at the Frederick News-Post reports the home belongs to the parents of an ATF agent. The agent had been living at the home while being treated for a serious illness, but she was not in the house at the time.
Woods told police he was having chest pains and he was taken to a local hospital after his arrest.
Englar reports the following from the charging documents:
He talked to police from the hospital, telling them that he had been friends with the woman, who is an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, for more than 20 years and that he was in love with her.
He said he had never been romantically involved with the woman.
Woods said he had left a note on her door in February when he was having marital problems and needed someone to talk to, the documents state.
He said she had not responded and was not returning his calls.
He was informed the woman was ill and had moved in with her parents. Woods said she told him in December that she was sick, but he didn't believe her.
Woods was suspended from the fire company after his arrest.
