Edgewood Denny's Fire Set Intentionally, Officials Say

Investigators believe that the that caused about $500,000 in damage was an act of arson.

Deputy state fire marshals determined the blaze was set intentionally in the men's bathroom of the restaurant before 10:20 a.m. Friday, Aug. 3, according to a news release from the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.

The unidentified suspect is described as a 190-pound man between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 2 inches tall, wearing an orange shirt, dark shorts, dark sunglasses, dark baseball cap and either loafers or sandals. .

Around 10:20 a.m., a patron discovered the fire in the bathroom. At the time of the fire 50 customers and 20 employees were inside the business owned by Patrick Hess, according to the release.

All customers safely left the restaurant after smoke filled the building.

The fire spread from the bathroom to the attic and roof. The blaze went to two alarms, with 75 firefighters from Harford and Baltimore County fire companies battling the blaze for 45 minutes before getting it under control, according to the release.

An employee and a firefighter from Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company were taken to in Bel Air for treatment and later released.

The fire caused about $500,000 in damage to the restaurant, located at 1803 Edgewood Road.

State troopers and crime scene technicians with the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack are assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information about the fire or the person in the photos can contact the Northeast Regional Office of the state fire marshal, 410-836-4844 or the Maryland Arson Hotline, 1-800-492-7529.

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