A Habitat for Humanity home going up on Cardin Way in Cambridge was intentionally set on fire, state investigators say, damaging a volunteer-built house and rattling a local affordable-housing project. Investigators determined the blaze began in the crawl space under the two-story, wood-framed house and classified the cause as incendiary. The damage, discovered Thursday morning, May 28, is estimated at $1,000. The house was unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.
According to Eastern Shore Undercover, State Fire Marshal investigators believe the fire burned sometime between 3 p.m. last Friday and 9 a.m. Thursday, May 28. By the time workers showed up, the flames were out, and only the aftermath remained. A property manager noticed the damage as volunteers arrived, so the fire department was not called. Investigators traced the point of origin to the opening of the crawl space beneath the home and officially labeled the cause incendiary.
Cardin Way Project And Volunteer-Built Homes
The damaged house is part of the Cardin Way development Habitat Choptank has been building in Cambridge, a planned 12-home neighborhood focused on affordable homeownership, according to Habitat Choptank and local coverage by WMDT. The project relies heavily on volunteers and donated labor, so even about $1,000 in damage can delay move-in dates for families lined up for the homes. Earlier this year, the Cardin Way site already had infrastructure work completed and several houses in various stages of construction.
State Investigators Seeking Tips
Deputy State Fire Marshals are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Lower Eastern regional office at 410-713-3780. Callers may remain anonymous, per Eastern Shore Undercover. The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal notes that Deputy State Fire Marshals are sworn law-enforcement officers who investigate origin and cause, collect evidence, and coordinate with local police when fires appear suspicious or criminal.
Legal Angle
Under Maryland law, deliberately setting a fire can result in criminal charges and arson prosecutions. Deputy State Fire Marshals are empowered to gather evidence and seek warrants under state statute, including Public Safety § 6-303. The Cambridge case remains an active investigation, and authorities say they will pursue charges if the evidence supports prosecution.
