Fire Department Arrests Individual on Multiple Charges

Published on January 30, 2023

The Arlington County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Office is announcing the arrest of a suspect following the investigation of a fire that occurred on the morning of Jan. 27, 2023. Sami Kasawat, 33 of Arlington, Virginia, has been charged with one count of arson and one count of endangering other person or property. The suspect is being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility. 

At 6:57 a.m. on Jan. 27, the Arlington County Fire Department was dispatched to the 5500 block of Columbia Pike for a reported structure fire. Crews found a small fire on the balcony that was quickly extinguished. During the course of the investigation, the Fire Marshals recovered evidence indicating the fire had been intentionally set. The suspect, a resident of the building, was taken into custody at the scene without incident. 

This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Office at 703-228-4644 or by emailing fire-firecodeinquiry@arlingtonva.us.