A late-night explosion in Randallstown jolted a quiet block awake on Saturday, after police say a 72-year-old man set a gasoline-fueled fire inside his own home, sending family members scrambling into the street. Neighbors reported hearing a loud boom and rushing outside as the family escaped. No other injuries have been reported. The man was taken to a hospital after his arrest and now faces felony charges.
Police arrested Gary High Sr., 72, after officers were called to a home on Collier Road in Randallstown around 9:15 p.m. Saturday for reports of a fight and someone trying to set the house on fire, according to CBS Baltimore. High has been charged with arson and attempted murder and is scheduled to appear tomorrow for a bail review hearing, per the charging documents.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to charging documents obtained by local reporters, High told investigators he poured gasoline around the house and used a lighter to ignite a fire in the basement, which allegedly triggered the explosion. "Caller advised someone is trying to burn the house down, there is someone pouring gasoline," dispatch audio said, and neighbors described a loud "boom" as the family ran from the home, as reported by CBS Baltimore.
Felony Counts With Long Prison Terms
Arson in the first degree is a felony in Maryland and can carry a penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a fine, according to the state criminal code. Under Maryland law, first-degree arson covers willfully and maliciously setting fire to a dwelling or an occupied structure, and the Public Safety statutes treat first-degree arson as a serious violent offense that can affect custody and sentencing decisions. Provisions on crimes of violence from the Maryland General Assembly further underscore the severity of the charge.
Rare But Serious Local Explosions
Deliberate house explosions are rare in Baltimore County, but have happened before. Investigators charged a man after an Essex house explosion in 2024, highlighting the public-safety stakes in these investigations, according to reporting by WBAL-TV. Fire investigators typically work with prosecutors and the State Fire Marshal on complex scenes before charges are filed.
High was taken to a hospital after his arrest and remains in custody pending the bail review. This story will be updated as additional court filings or official statements are released.
