CHARLES COUNTY, MD (September 16, 2026) - A St. Mary’s County man has been arrested and charged with arson after Deputy State Fire Marshals determined a fire on the rear deck of a Waldorf home was intentionally set.

Shortly before midnight on Friday, September 11, 2026, an occupant of a home in the 4900 block of Morraine Street discovered a fire on the rear deck and extinguished it with a garden hose. The fire was not reported until the following morning, when the Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to investigate.

Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the fire originated on the rear deck and was intentionally set. Seven people were inside the home at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported, and damage to the deck was estimated at $1,500.

During the investigation, Deputy State Fire Marshals, with assistance from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, identified Demartez Trequan Thomas, 29, of California, St. Mary’s County, as the person allegedly responsible for setting the fire. Investigators determined Thomas was at the residence around the time the fire was set and learned he had an ongoing domestic-related dispute with one of the occupants.

On Tuesday evening, Deputy State Fire Marshals assigned to the Southern Regional Office, with assistance from troopers from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack, took Thomas into custody without incident at his home in St. Mary’s County.

Thomas was transported to the Charles County Detention Center, where he was charged with first-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property, and eight counts of reckless endangerment. He is currently being held without bond.

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