Still No Suspects in Query Mill Fire Investigation

, an arson investigation continues, but no one has been charged.

Lt. William Olin, the lead fire and explosive investigator for Montgomery County, told the Patch he has talked to “a lot of people” about the Dec. 8, 2010, fire, including the owner who lives next door, the renters who escaped unharmed and several neighbors. Olin said he is closer to resolving the case but did want to elaborate.

The owner was contacted for this story but declined to be interviewed. Neighbors said she had been instructed by the fire marshal not to discuss the case while it is still under investigation.

In July, the owner had the remnants of the burned-out home removed. The property now stands vacant.

Since there were no injuries or deaths involved in the case, the investigation falls under the complete jurisdiction of the fire marshal. Olin would say only that his investigators “are gleaning information from all parties,” and that he expects to wrap up the investigation in the near future.

When the Montgomery County fire department arrived at the scene shortly after the call came in at about 5:20 p.m. on that frigid night, both floors of the house were already engulfed in flames. More than 60 firefighters battled the blaze. Aside from the freezing temperatures, their work was made even more difficult and dangerous by the fact that there were no fire hydrants on Query Mill Road.