Baltimore County police are investigating a series of suspected arsons that occurred Saturday in Edgemere.

Officers responded to the 2600 block of Sparrows Point Road at about 4 a.m. following a report of a dwelling fire. A resident heard a popping noise outside his apartment and observed smoke and fire at the back of the building. The homeowner’s rear deck was on fire by the time police and firefighters arrived.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze before anyone was injured. Officials then located several other nearby fires.

Next door to the private home, which is divided into two apartments, a bin and shed behind Shkor's Service Station were also on fire. The blaze from the bin spread to the roof of the business, too.

On the other side of the station, gasoline from a nearby lawn mower is believed to have been used to start another fire, which melted part of the first floor aluminum siding.

A blaze was also found and extinguished in a dumpster in the 2500 block of Sparrows Point Road.

John Shkor, owner of the service station, believes someone poured an accelerant, possibly lighter fluid, into the bin and shed behind his business.

“It’s mostly all metal and non-combustible stuff,” Shkor said.

Shkor added that residents, including children, live on both sides of his business and were at home during the fires.

“There were cars in the driveway and the air conditioners were running,” Shkor said. “Whoever did this had to know people were at home.”

While at Shkor’s, a 911 caller reported seeing a vehicle on fire two blocks away in the 2600 block of Manor Avenue. Firefighters discovered a 2005 Kia Sorrento and 1998 Ford Windstar burning at the location. Both vehicles sustained significant fire and smoke damage.

At 10:05 a.m., another 911 caller reported seeing a third vehicle on fire in the 2500 block of Steel Avenue. The blaze burned out prior to firefighters arriving, but fire and smoke damage had already destroyed a 2007 BMW 328i.

The Baltimore County Police Department Arson Unit is investigating the incident, but does not have suspect information as of Wednesday night.

Reward Offered

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect(s) is asked to call Baltimore County police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or email a tip via www.metrocrimestoppers.org.