Sykesville Man Charged After Intentionally Setting Fire That Destroyed Family Home
CARROLL COUNTY, MD (November 25, 2025) - Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a Sykesville man after he intentionally set fire to his home Tuesday morning, destroying the residence and prompting a multi-department response.
Just after 8:00 a.m. on November 26, 2025, Carroll County Sheriff's deputies and the Maryland State Police were initially dispatched to a home in the 500 block of Sherry Drive for a reported domestic-related incident. While en route, deputies received information that the male homeowner was preparing to set the house on fire, and the fire department was dispatched. As deputies approached the scene, they observed a large column of black smoke rising from the home.
When Carroll County Sheriff's deputies arrived, the residence was engulfed in flames. The homeowner, Michael Weisgerber, 59, was standing outside and told them that he had intentionally set the fire. He was detained at the scene and later transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Firefighters from Carroll County Fire and EMS, Gamber & Community Fire Company, and several additional departments worked together to bring the fire under control.
During the investigation, Weisgerber told Deputy State Fire Marshals that he was estranged from his wife and had been living in an RV in the driveway. He stated that he entered the home while his wife was outside, locked the door, ensured his wife was not inside, and doused the interior with gasoline before setting it on fire. Investigators confirmed that gasoline vapors caused an explosion that blew a rear door from its frame.
Weisgerber has been charged with first-degree arson, first- and second-degree malicious burning, reckless endangerment, and arson threat. He was transported to the Carroll County Detention Center, where he is currently being held pending a bond hearing.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal reminds the public that anyone experiencing personal crises or domestic issues can seek immediate help by contacting local support services or the Maryland Crisis Hotline at 988.
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 Photo Credit - Gamber VFD
 Photo Credit - Gamber VFD
 Photo Credit - Sykesville Freedome Distric VFD
The
Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of
State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and
explosion through a comprehensive program of education,
inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more
information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: Maryland State Fire Marshal and/or our Facebook Page.
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