UPDATE: It turns out pit bull at MD house fire was guarding an arsonist
The image of a pit bull standing guard over its injured owner outside a burning Landover Hills, Maryland home went viral and was seen around the world last month. The woman on the ground by the dog during the December 2 fire had just been pulled from the house by firefighters. Today (Monday) Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady reports the pit bull was actually standing guard over an arsonist.
While the December 2 fire is still under investigation, 34-year old April Newell has been charged with a fire at the same home one day earlier.
Previous coverage of this fire
Mark Brady, Chief Spokesman PGFD:
A Landover Hills female has been charged with multiple crimes after an investigation of a fire at her residence. On December 2, officials from the Prince George’s County Office of the Fire Marshal were conducting a cause and origin investigation at a house fire in the 4800 block of 66th Place in Landover Hills that occurred around 1:00 am. An adult male sustained burn injuries during this fire and a female were transported to an area hospital for a medical evaluation. During this investigation Investigators discovered evidence of an unreported fire that occurred the day before on December 1.
The unreported fire that occurred on December 1 was determined to be arson in an occupied home. April Newell, 34 years of age, a resident of the house was identified as a suspect. Arrest warrants were obtained on December 5th charging her with:
Arson – 1st Degree – A felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.
Arson – 2nd Degree – A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and fines of $30,000.
Arson Threat – A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.
Malicious Burning – 1st Degree – Damage value at more than $1,000, this offense carries a potential 5-year prison sentence and $5,000 fine.
Malicious Burning – 2nd Degree – Damage value at less than $1,000, a misdemeanor offense. If convicted, penalties are up to 18 months in jail and $500 in fines.
The Office of the Prince George’s County Fire Marshal confirmed that April Newell was arrested during the morning of December 31, 2015. She is currently being held on a $500,000 Bond.
The fire that occurred on December 2nd at the same house remains under investigation.
A image from the scene captured the family Pit Bull standing guard over what appeared to be an unconscious female in a neighbors front yard on the morning of the still under investigation December 2nd fire. The female was arrested for an unreported fire that occurred at the same location on December 1st. The dog was subsequently captured and housed by County Animal Management Division and released to an out-of-county relative the next day.
