Page County man arrested for department store blaze

Video stills released July 3 by HPD and HFDPhoto byHarrisonburg Fire Department

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A Shenandoah man was arrested July 4 for charges related to a recent Gabe’s store fire.

The East Market Street fire occurred late in the afternoon of June 29. The store was occupied with customers at the time, but was safely evacuated.

Prior to the arrival of the Harrisonburg Fire Department, two employees used fire extinguishers to put out the blaze. Both were later transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries suffered while extinguishing flames.

The store closed for the rest of the day, but reopened the next afternoon. Estimates put damage totals near $30,000.

Surveillance video was studied, and fire investigators determined the blaze had initiated in the store’s home goods section and had been intentionally set. The footage also showed an individual who the Harrisonburg Fire Department’s Fire Marshal Office considered a person of interest.

On Monday, July 3, the Harrisonburg Fire Department and the Harrisonburg Police Department released video stills on social media, hoping to solve the mystery of the person’s identity.

On July 4, the Harrisonburg Fire Department issued a written release, stating that the suspect was identified as Brandon Williams, 39, of Shenandoah. Williams was arrested and charged with two felonies related to the fire (attempting burning of a structure and destroying personal property). He was later transported to the Page County Jail in Luray.

“I am extremely grateful for the hard work of our fire investigators. HFD Chief Matthew Tobia said. “I would also like to thank those who helped us apprehend this suspect, and we appreciate our local media who helped us get the word out, speeding our identification of this individual.”

The City of Harrisonburg is centrally located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It is home to almost 55,000 people. Virginia state law and penalties regarding arson may be viewed HERE.