Maryland Man Sets Storage Unit On Fire With Woman Inside

A Hagerstown, Maryland man is behind bars after investigators say he intentionally set a fire inside a storage unit Thursday morning, leaving one woman injured.

Shortly before 8 a.m., crews from the Halfway Volunteer Fire Company responded to a reported building fire at Halfway Self Storage, 17324 Virginia Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find an 8-by-40-foot unit fully engulfed in flames. They quickly contained the blaze, stopping it from spreading to neighboring units. 

Deputy fire marshals learned that Leviathan Godwin, 23, and a woman who lived inside the storage unit had been arguing moments before the fire started. According to investigators, the victim told them Godwin intentionally set the blaze in an attempt to kill her.

With no rear exit, the woman was forced to run through the flames to escape. She was transported to Meritus Medical Center to be treated for smoke inhalation.

A photo of Godwin was shared with responding investigators, who believed he was still in the area. Not long after, a Deputy State Fire Marshal supervisor spotted him at a nearby Sheetz convenience store. With help from Maryland State Police, Godwin was taken into custody without incident.

“I am grateful that the victim sustained only minor injuries and was able to escape what could have been a tragedy. I am also proud of the quick work of our Deputy State Fire Marshals, who responded within minutes and made a swift arrest, providing peace of mind to the victim,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray.

Godwin was transported to the Washington County Detention Center and charged with first- and second-degree arson, attempted second-degree murder, assault, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property over $1,000, and first- and second-degree malicious burning.

The fire marshal’s office also reminded the public that storage units are not designed for habitation. “While we understand that some individuals may be experiencing homelessness, living in storage containers significantly increases the risk of fire-related injuries or fatalities,” the office stated. “Anyone needing shelter is encouraged to seek safe and appropriate housing options.”

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