Read charging documents
Previous coverage of April 8 fire
District of Columbia fire investigators, along with agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced at a press conference today they have made an arrest in the April 8 fire at 811 48th Place that critically burned Firefighter Chuck Ryan and injured four other DC firefighters.
Maurice Dews, 26, was picked up after a fire Tuesday night across the street from the April 8 fire. In addition, Dews is accused of setting a fire on June 14 at 4501 Grant St. NE.
Investigators say Dews also falsely claimed he was a volunteer firefighter from Bladensburg, Maryland. According to the investigators, Dews has called 911 about nine separate fires in DC and Maryland since 2007.
Charging documents indicate that Dews already was suspected in the series of arsons before Tuesday's fire. In fact, Dews called a DC fire investigator who had previously interviewed him to report information shortly after the fire Tuesday evening. This lead to Dews' arrest.
