HAGERSTOWN, Md. – A 20-year-old Hagerstown man has been charged with arson after authorities say he deliberately set a trash can on fire, causing flames to spread to the front porch of a home Sunday afternoon.

Fire crews were called to 428 Mitchell Avenue around 12:40 p.m. on Sept. 21, where they quickly extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported, but investigators with the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was intentionally set.

Witness statements led deputies to identify Brandon Gaither as a suspect. Hagerstown police officers located him a short time later near Winter and Church streets, where he was taken into custody.

According to investigators, Gaither admitted during questioning that he started the fire. He has been charged with second-degree arson a

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