Maryland woman accused of setting house fire with person inside, sitting outside to watch

ELKTON, Md. (TCD) --

A Maryland woman was arrested on multiple charges related to an arson fire in April after witnesses reported seeing her sitting outside the burning building.

Multiple firefighter departments responded to a report of a residential fire on Cherry Lane at about 1:15 p.m. on April 29, 2021.

Witnesses told investigators a woman was seen “setting multiple fires within the home, and then sitting in a chair on the front lawn, where she watched the fire engulf the home,” according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. The woman was identified as 47-year-old Elkton resident Gail Metwally.

Witnesses said the suspect then walked away.

Witnesses reported hearing someone inside the house yelling for help from the basement. Bystanders helped the person, a woman, out of a window, the fire marshal’s office said.

Cecil County Sheriff's deputies detained Gail Metwally in the area, and she was transported to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack, according to the fire marshal’s office.

State fire marshals classified the fire as arson.

Officials said four people, including Metwally, lived in the house. Two residents were gone at the time of the fire, and the third resident “was still inside when Metwally committed the arson” the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office said. The occupants' relationships were not disclosed.

Gail Metwally was charged with first-degree attempted* murder; second-degree attempted* murder; first-degree arson; first-degree assault; two counts of malicious burning; two counts of malicious destruction of property; and two counts of reckless endangerment. She was held at the Cecil County Detention Center.

*This article originally stated in error that Metwally faced murder charges. The first two charges are for attempted murder. We apologize for the error.

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