Edgewood Denny's Set Fire Twice, Officials Say

Fire officials believe the was twice the target of arson with the second fire causing about $500,000 damage.

On Aug. 3 located at 1803 Edgewood Road. The blaze caused about $500,000 damage to the business and sent both a firefighter and employee to the hospital, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.

Investigators believe the Aug. 3 fire was an act of arson and that the business was targeted both times by the same man.

Around 8:45 a.m. July 4 a fire started in a trash can in the men's room of the business, according to the fire marshal's office. Business management believed the fire was accidental, and since it was contained to the trash can and damage was minimal, no fire service was called to the scene, according to a news release.

The circumstances mirror the Aug. 3 fire, which was also set in the men's bathroom. Surveillance footage from the restaurant shows what appears to be the same man entering the men's room area on both occasions, according to the release.

The unidentified man is described as being about six feet tall with light or grayish hair. He was wearing a dark baseball cap on both occasions. On the July 4, he was wearing a yellow shirt and light khaki shorts. On the August 3, he was wearing an orange shirt, dark shorts and sunglasses.

Investigators believe he left in a dark colored four-door sedan.

Anyone with information about these incidents can contact the Northeast Regional Office of the State Fire Marshal, 410-836-4844 or the arson hotline, 1-800-492-7529.