Robert “Bobby” Bennett, 39, the deputy fire chief of Hacks Point Volunteer Fire Company, was taken into custody Tuesday morning after investigators identified him as the person allegedly responsible for a blaze earlier this month, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 4 when a brushfire burned two acres of land on Grove Neck Road at the Recovery Centers of America’s property, officials say.
Bennett was among the firefighters who responded to the scene, driving the department’s brush truck to assist in extinguishing the flames.
However, authorities launched an investigation after the treatment center shared surveillance footage with the Office of the State Fire Marshal that allegedly showed Bennett starting the fire.
“This situation is deeply troubling,” acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said in a statement.
“I want to make clear that this one person’s alleged actions in no way reflect upon the thousands of dedicated career and volunteer firefighters who serve our communities—especially our volunteers who give of themselves and their time to serve Maryland.