Deputy state fire marshals have arrested Wayne H. Doughtery, 46 of Hampstead, on arson charges after marshals said Doughtery confessed to setting fire Sunday to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment at Greens Apartments.

The three-alarm fire took place at 3:07 a.m., Sunday at Greens Apartments, 500 Robins Way, Westminster and firefighters had to rescue four people from the apartments, sending two to Carroll Hospital Center for precautionary reasons, said Jamie Rodeheaver, deputy state fire marshal. The other two victims refused treatment.

Fire marshals charged Doughtery with first-degree arson, malicious burning, malicious destruction of property, reckless endangerment, burglary in the first-, third-, and fourth- degree and violation of a protective order,

If convicted, Doughtery could face up to 50 years in jail or more than $200,000 in fines, Rodeheaver said.

Witnesses gave fire marshals and Westminster City Police a description that matched Doughtery, whom witnesses said they saw on a ladder outside the apartment building before the fire, Rodeheaver said.

Doughtery told fire marshals that he set the fire out of vengeance.

About 80 firefighters from Westminster, Reese, Pleasant Valley, Taneytown, Hampstead, Manchester, Lineboro and New Windsor helped control the 40-minute blaze.

Officers quickly went from door-to-door in the apartment complex, pounding on doors to awaken residents and help evacuate the building.

Units of the Westminster fire department responded shortly after the initial alarm was sounded at 3:07 am and found heavy fire in the second floor apartment that was spreading rapidly to the third floor.

Firefighters from the Reese & Community Vol. Fire Co. quickly responded to the back of the building where there were reports that people were trapped and rescued four out the upper story windows.

The apartment’s damage is estimated at $450,000, according to fire marshals.

Kevin Dayhoff contributed to this report.

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