The victim was forced to run through the flames Thursday morning after suspect set their storage unit on fire.
HALFWAY, Md. — A Hagerstown man was arrested Thursday morning after investigators determined that he started a fire inside a storage unit on purpose. Now he’s facing an attempted murder charge because someone was inside the unit at the time.
Halfway Volunteer Fire Company responded to Halfway Self-Storage unit at 17324 Virginia Ave. in Hagerstown shortly before 8 a.m. after a call came in about a building on fire. When firefighters reached the storage unit they found an 8-by-40-foot storage unit fully engulfed in flames. They were able to quickly contain the fire before it was able to spread to other units.
Investigators learned quickly that one person was injured in during the fire and were able to identify the victim and the suspect. The suspect was 23-year-old Leviathan Godwin. The victim, who investigators said was living out of the storage unit, was arguing with Godwin before he started a fire at the front of the unit in an attempt to kill her. The victim was then forced to run through the flames to escape the blaze.
The victim was transported to Meritus Medical Center for treatment of inhaling smoke.
Godwin was spotted at a nearby Sheetz the same day after the Deputy State Fire Marshals were told he was still in the area. They were able to call Maryland State Police to take him into custody.
“I am grateful that the victim sustained only minor injuries and was able to escape what could have been a tragedy. I am also proud of the quick work of our Deputy State Fire Marshals, who responded within minutes and made a swift arrest, providing peace of mind to the victim,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray.
Godwin was transported to the Washington County Detention Center and charged with first and second-degree arson, attempted second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property over $1,000, and first-degree and second-degree malicious burning.
The Office of State Fire Marshal also reminds people that storage units are not intended for people to live in and encourage anyone needing shelter to contact appropriate housing options.