Man Charged After He Allegedly Set Fire to His Home After an Argument with His Estranged Wife By Escher Walcott

A Maryland man has been charged after he allegedly set his house on fire with his estranged wife inside.

At around 8 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 25, a woman called police to report a domestic disturbance involving her husband, Michael Weisgerber, at the home in Sykesville, the State Fire Marshal said in a news release.

WMAR 2 News, WBFF and CBS News reported.

As authorities were on their way, the woman called police again, alleging that Weisgerber, 59, was “preparing to set fire to the house,” per the release.

“A female occupant of the home indicated that her estranged husband had forcefully entered the home, leading to some breaking of windows,” Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire told WMAR 2 News, adding: “During that phone call, it was indicated that he may have wanted to set the house on fire.”

Police arrived to find the home engulfed in flames. Weisgerber was standing outside the house, where he allegedly admitted to authorities that he intentionally set the house on fire, the State Fire Marshal said in its release.

In court documents, per the State Fire Marshal, Weisgerber allegedly told police his estranged wife lived in the home while he was residing in an RV in the driveway.

The pair argued before the incident, and Weisgerber allegedly locked his wife outside the home before he doused it with gasoline and set it on fire, the release states.

An explosion eventually occurred. Half of the property was completely burned down, photos taken at the scene show.

Weisgerber sustained minor injuries. He was treated at a local hospital before he was transferred to the Carroll County Detention Center and arrested, CBS News reported.

He was subsequently charged with reckless endangerment and arson at Carroll County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Nov. 26. He waived his right to bail, the outlet said.

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Weisgerber said he didn’t intend to harm his wife, whose identity has not been shared publicly, in the fire.

“He did indicate that he did not want to injure his wife. He said that numerous times to our investigators,” Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Alkire told WMAR 2 News.

“He wanted to make sure he was ensuring her safety when he did this,” the official added.

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Weisgerber and his wife have been married for 30 years, WMAR 2 News reported.