Man Accused of Setting Fire to Home Following Dispute with Estranged Wife
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A man in Maryland has been arrested and charged after allegedly setting fire to his own house with his estranged wife still inside. Michael Weisgerber, aged 59, reportedly confessed to starting the fire at his residence in a shocking turn of events following a dispute with his wife. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, Nov. 25, around 8 a.m. local time, when the woman contacted the police to report a domestic disturbance involving her husband in Sykesville, as reported by various news outlets including WMAR 2 News, WBFF, and CBS News.
According to a news release from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department (CCSO), the woman made a second distress call to the police, alleging that Weisgerber was in the process of setting the house ablaze. Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire revealed, “A female occupant of the home indicated that her estranged husband had forcefully entered the home, leading to some breaking of windows.” Alkire added, “During that phone call, it was indicated that he may have wanted to set the house on fire.”
Upon arrival at the scene, authorities found the house fully engulfed in flames while Weisgerber was outside the property. He purportedly admitted to deliberately igniting the fire, as per CBS News. Court documents obtained by the outlet suggest that Weisgerber had been living in an RV on the driveway while his wife resided in the house. An altercation between the couple preceded the incident, during which Weisgerber allegedly locked his wife out before dousing the property with gasoline and setting it alight, resulting in an explosion and extensive damage to the house.
Weisgerber sustained minor injuries in the incident and received treatment at a local hospital before being taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with reckless endangerment and arson at the Carroll County Circuit Court on Nov. 26 after waiving his right to bail. Despite the severity of the act, Weisgerber purportedly expressed that he did not intend to harm his wife in the blaze, with Alkire stating, “He did indicate that he did not want to injure his wife. He said that numerous times to our investigators. He wanted to make sure he was ensuring her safety when he did this.”
Weisgerber and his wife reportedly share a 30-year-long marriage, adding to the complexity and gravity of the situation. However, the identities of the individuals involved have not been disclosed publicly. Authorities, including the CCSO, Maryland State Police, and the Maryland State Fire Marshal, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the incident. The shocking event serves as a poignant reminder of the complex dynamics that can arise within relationships and the potential consequences when disputes escalate to dangerous levels.
While this incident is undoubtedly distressing, it also highlights the importance of swift intervention in cases of domestic disputes to prevent such tragic outcomes. The safety and well-being of individuals in vulnerable situations must always be a top priority, with support systems in place to address conflicts before they escalate to the point of irreversible harm. Ultimately, this case serves as a somber reminder of the far-reaching implications of unresolved conflicts within relationships and the critical need for effective mechanisms to mitigate such risks in our communities.