Executive Summary
- Margaret Jane Benchama faces first- and second-degree arson charges following a house fire in Pocomoke, Maryland.
- Responders, including a police officer and volunteer firefighter, forced entry without safety gear to rescue a trapped victim.
- The victim was flown to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center with serious injuries.
- Investigators allege Benchama admitted to intentionally starting the fire during questioning.
Authorities in Worcester County, Maryland, have arrested and charged a woman with first- and second-degree arson following an investigation into a residential fire that resulted in serious injuries to a victim trapped inside the home. The arrest was announced Sunday by the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Emergency personnel responded to a distress call at a residence on Linden Avenue shortly before 1:45 p.m. on December 28. According to the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office, the caller reported being trapped on the second floor of the burning structure. A prompt response by a Pocomoke City police officer, an EMS clinician, and a volunteer firefighter allowed for a rescue; officials noted in their report that these responders forced entry without protective safety equipment to retrieve the victim.
The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company subsequently brought the blaze under control. The Fire Marshal’s Office reported that the victim was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore for treatment of serious injuries sustained during the incident.
Subsequent analysis by fire investigators determined the blaze had been intentionally set from within the home. Margaret Jane Benchama was identified as a person of interest and was located by law enforcement at approximately 6:30 p.m. During questioning, Benchama allegedly admitted to starting the fire, according to investigators.
Judicial Proceedings and Public Safety
The swift identification and apprehension of the suspect highlight the critical coordination between fire investigators and local law enforcement in Worcester County. First-degree arson is a serious felony in Maryland involving the burning of a dwelling, carrying significant legal penalties. Margaret Jane Benchama is currently being held without bond as the case proceeds through the judicial system. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
