Crews demolish charred Advance Auto Parts that was intentionally set on fire in Reisterstown

Aug 08, 2023

By Kelsey Kushner

Updated on: July 19, 2023 / 11:08 PM / CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE - Crews demolished the charred Advance Auto Parts that police say was set on fire Tuesday night in Reisterstown.

A massive pile of melted tires, charred metal and fallen bricks were left behind after police say 19-year-old Elijah Morgan sparked a three-alarm fire on Reisterstown Road.

Officials say the massive fire started at 9:40 p.m.

A few minutes later, a mayday was called in after one firefighter was trapped inside. Officials say he was released from the hospital and is expected to be OK.

Crews are working to demolish the Advanced Auto Parts that caught fire last night. Police say 19 year old Elijah Morgan is in custody for arson. Fire Chief says firefighters will be out here all night working to put out hot spots @wjz pic.twitter.com/JGCmgTykI7

Police said Morgan was taken into custody and was taken to an area hospital for evaluation due to his mental state.

He has since been charged with first-degree arson and is being held without bond.

The building was deemed a total loss.

"It's just terrible somebody would do that to someone's business," said Nancy Hoffman. "Not only did they take away somebody's business but the entire community that would like to go there and shop."

Baltimore County Fire Chief Robert Biggs said that due to the chemicals burning from inside, a hazmat team was called to make sure there was no danger to the public.

"The fire itself is still burning under some roof material," Biggs said. "We need excavation to come down and pull a wall down so we can put out the flames."

Kelsey Kushner joined the WJZ team in January 2019.

First published on July 19, 2023 / 6:55 PM

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