July 7th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

 Deputy State Fire Marshals are asking for assistance identifying a person who was seen running from the area of an early Thursday morning vehicle fire in LaVale.

At around 5:45 a.m., LaVale Fire Department responded to the LaVale Automotive Service located at 12 National Highway after a passerby reported the fire. Firefighters arrived and discovered the bulk of the fire was contained to the hood of a 1999 Grand Cherokee and were able extinguish it before it spread to any other vehicles or the building. Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded the fire was arson after a suspect poured a flammable liquid on the hood. The SUV was a total loss after the fire caused $2,500 in damages, and the Jeep's owner told investigators they used the SUV as a contracted mail delivery vehicle.

Multiple witnesses reported seeing a man running up National Highway from the automotive shop just seconds before discovering the Jeep on fire.

The suspect was described as a white male wearing light-colored pants and a dark shirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy State Fire Marshal R. Reed at 301-729-5542.