PWC fire officials charge suspect with attempted murder in November 2022 fire

Arson, Attempted Murder*Arrest – On April 16,2023 Prince William County Fire Marshals charged a suspect from Maryland in connection with the townhouse fire that occurred in the 3600 block of Dalhgreen Place (Dumfries) on Nov, 26, 2022. The suspect is the stepbrother of the occupant who rented the basement portion of the home.

At the time of the fire, two (2) other occupants were upstairs in the home. Evidence from the scene and the suspect’s actions ultimately led to his identity in the incident. Following the investigation, Fire Marshals obtained arrest warrants for the suspect, identified as Nathanial Earl Payne, in connection with the incident. On April 18, the suspect was located and arrested without incident in Fairfax County by the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Arrested on April 18:
Nathanial Earl Payne, 36, of Oxen Hill, Maryland
Charged with 2 counts of Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, Arson of an occupied dwelling, and obtaining money by false pretenses.
Court Date: June 28 / Bond: Unavailable

Fire Incident [Previously Released]
Saturday, November 26, 2022
7:26 AM
Units were dispatched to the 3600 blk of Dalhgreen Place (Dumfries) for a report of a person trapped inside a townhouse on fire. A second alarm was requested with the report of a person trapped. Crews arrived with heavy smoke on the first and second floor. After a quick size-up, the victim was found in an upstairs bedroom and a working fire in the basement. Crews protected the victim in-place until the adult female could be lowered to the ground utilizing an aerial ladder. The victim was transported to a regional burn center via helicopter with serious injuries. The fire was quickly extinguished. The structure sustained moderate damage. Minimal damage to one (1) adjoining townhouse. The Red Cross is assisting the four (4) displaced adult occupants. The cause remains under investigation.

Matt Smolsky
Assistant Chief – Fire Marshal