November 1st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

The Office of the State Fire Marshal has arrested a Hancock man following an investigation into a house fire that happened earlier this month in Washington County. The accused is identified as Alvin Gerald Funk, 78, of Hancock, Maryland. He is charged with first-degree attempted arson and arson threat (felonies), as well as reckless endangerment and malicious destruction of property (misdemeanors). He is being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center. Deputy State Fire Marshals arrested Funk on Wednesday after he was released from Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Maryland.

On Oct. 15, 2025, at about 12:40 a.m., Hancock Police responded to the 6100 block of Hess Road for a report that a man had tried to set his house on fire. Another occupant was asleep inside the home. Officers detained the suspect and used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire in the garage before it could spread.

Deputy State Fire Marshals investigating the scene found a torch-style lighter, a charred cardboard box, and fire starter logs in the garage. Funk was taken to Meritus Medical Center for treatment. No other injuries were reported.