Pittsville Man Charged in Arson at Wicomico County Deputy's Home

Wicomico County, MD - On Thursday, November 12, 2026, just before 10:30 a.m., the Powellville Volunteer Fire Company responded to the 35000 block of Wango Road, Pittsville, MD for a house fire. Fire companies from nearby areas also came to help.

Firefighters had the one-alarm fire under control in about 10 minutes. The fire caused an estimated $15,000 in damage to the home and the items inside.

Three people who live in the home had to find another place to stay because of the damage.

Deputy State Fire Marshals were called in to find out where and how the fire started. While they were on their way, they learned the home belonged to a Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputy, who works as a K-9 handler.

Investigators ruled that the fire was set on purpose (Arson).

Several agencies worked together on the case. Maryland State Police troopers from the Salisbury Barrack helped, along with the agency's Criminal Enforcement Division and its Special Tactical Assault Team Element (S.T.A.T.E.). The Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office also assisted.

Investigators named the deputy's neighbor, Andrew Lee Ransley, 38, as the suspect. Officials got a search warrant for Ransley's home and later took him into custody.

Ransley is charged with first-degree arson and second-degree arson. He also faces first-degree malicious burning and second-degree malicious burning.

He is charged with five counts of animal cruelty as well. One of those counts involves the deputy's K-9. No K-9s were hurt in the fire.

The case moved fast. The fire happened Thursday morning, and Ransley was already charged when the State Fire Marshal's Office shared the news on Friday, November 13, 2026.

State Fire Marshal Caroll H. Spriggs II thanked the investigators and partner agencies who worked the case.

"This was a deliberate act that put lives and property at risk, and I commend our investigators and law enforcement partners for their quick response and thorough investigation," said State Fire Marshal Caroll H. Spriggs II. "Their combined efforts helped bring this investigation to a swift conclusion."

Ransley is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.