A Leonardtown man has been arrested after allegedly setting fire to a hotel room, resulting in significant damage and the displacement of nearly 50 guests. The incident occurred at the Super Eight Motel in California, Maryland, leading to an extensive emergency response and investigation.
On the evening of June 3, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a disturbance in room 310 of the Super Eight Motel, located at 22801 Three Notch Road. The caller, a motel employee, described the occupants of the room as arguing loudly, breaking windows, and barricading the door.
Deputies arrived at the scene within minutes and found Anthony Cleaver Mason, 64, inside the room, allegedly attempting to start a fire. The deputies quickly activated the motel’s fire alarm system and began evacuating guests while calling for the fire department.
A total of 48 firefighters from various local departments, including Bay District, Hollywood, NAS Patuxent River, Leonardtown, Ridge, Valley Lee, and Solomons, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, they encountered active flames and multiple injuries resulting from guests jumping from the third floor in an attempt to escape the blaze.
Among those affected was an adult female and her child. The woman, after being assisted out of the building, suffered a medical emergency and was transported to a nearby hospital. The child was evaluated and subsequently released into the care of family members.
Mason was taken into custody at the scene, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal was called to investigate the incident. Deputy State Fire Marshals determined that Mason was responsible for starting the fire, which caused an estimated $750,000 in damages.
Mason faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree arson, reckless endangerment, and first-degree malicious burning. He is currently held at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center without bond.
