Two More Laurel Fires Added to Arson Investigation

Investigators have added two new incidents to the string of suspicious fires already under scrutiny in the Laurel area, authorities said Monday.

The fires occurred last week less that 12 hours apart, according to a statement from the Prince George's County Fire Department.

On Thursday, May 30 at around 3:35 p.m., playground equipment was reportedly set on fire in the the 14100 block of Bowsprit Lane. Officials estimated the damage at $1,000.

Then, just after midnight on Friday, May 31, a fire was reportedly set in an exterior cloest of the former Bay 'n' Surf Restaurant, located about a third of a mile away in the 14400 block of Baltimore Ave.

"The restaurant had previously sustained significant damage from a fire in February of 2007 and has been closed and vacant ever since," PGFD officials wrote.

Both fires were deemed to have been caused by arson and shared similarities with the seven previous incidents, authorities said. Those include:

• A Jan. 10 fire outside of Bottom Dollar (12675 Laurel Bowie Rd.)
• A March 3 fire at Discovery Community Park
• A March 6 fire at Laurel Fuel Oil (101 Main St.)
• A March 11 fire at Emancipation Community Park
• A March 20 fire outside an office building (14300 block of Laurel Bowie Rd.)
• A March 22 fire at Granville Gude Park (8300 Mulberry St.)
• A March 23 fire at Empire Buffet (14500 Laurel Pl.)

The investigation is being jointly led by the PGFD; the Laurel Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Prince George's County Police Department.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. Residents are urged to contact the arson tip line at 301-772-7766. Callers may remain anonymous.