Crime & Safety
Old Seagram’s Plant is Arson Target
'At some point a fire in one of the buildings could severely injure or cause the death of someone,' police say.
Baltimore County authorities said Tuesday they're investigating a series of arsons at the old Seagram's distillery in Dundalk dating back more than two years.
The cause of last month's blaze, which destroyed one of the hulking plant's buildings in the 7100 block of Sollers Point Road, remains under investigation, said Elise Armacost, a Baltimore County Fire Department spokesman.
"Long before the Oct. 1, two-alarm fire, the place has been a target of vandals, who have broken windows, scrawled graffiti and set fires," Armacost said.
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Police said Tuesday that the most recent of eight smaller fires being investigated as arsons occurred Monday at 3:06 p.m. No one was injured in that blaze or in the other fires that were intentionally set on Friday and Wednesday. Earlier fires—set on Jan 17, 2010, July 17, 2009, and Sept. 23, April 14 and April 11, 2008—also resulted in no injuries.
"However, public safety officials are worried that at some point a fire in one of the buildings could severely injure or cause the death of someone," Baltimore County police spokesman Cpl. Michael Hill said in a statement.
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Investigators said they're uncertain if the same person is responsible for all of the fires.
Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (866-756-2587). To text Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to Metro Crime Stoppers. Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.