Cambridge, MD Man Arrested for Setting Home on Fire; Five Occupants Displaced
Patrick Ryan Gifford
A Cambridge, Maryland man has been arrested for an arson that happened in 2025. Deputy State Fire Marshals served an arrest warrant on 28-year-old Patrick Ryan Gifford at his home on Academy Street in Cambridge. Gifford is accused of setting a fire to a home on Race Street in Cambridge on August 27th at 10:18 AM following an argument with an occupant of that residence.
Gifford was indicted by a Grand Jury on Monday, March 16th 2026 for the charges of Arson 1st Degree, Attempted Arson 1st Degree, Malicious Burning 1st Degree, Malicious Burning 2nd Degree, Malicious Destruction of Property over $1,000.00 and three counts of Reckless Endangerment. Deputy State Fire Marshals transported Gifford to the Dorchester County Detention Center.
The one alarm fire brought 36 firefighters from the Rescue Fire Company out to battle the blaze. It took firefighters 1 hour to bring the fire under control. Five occupants were displaced – damage is estimated at $250,000.
If found guilty of all charges, Gifford faces a maximum penalty of 95 years and 6 months of incarceration and/or $123,000 in fines.