PWC fire marshals charge suspect with attempted murder related to a 2022 townhouse fire in Dumfries

On April 16, 2023 Prince William County Fire Marshals report they charged a suspect with two counts of Attempted Murder in the second degree, Arson of an occupied dwelling, and obtaining money by false pretenses. The charges were in connection with the townhouse fire that occurred in the 3600 block of Dalghren Place (originally identified as Dalhgreen Place, Dumfries) on Nov. 26, 2022, a county news release said. The suspect was described as “the stepbrother of the occupant who rented the basement portion of the home,” according to a news release from Prince William County Fire & Rescue.

At the time of the fire, two other occupants were upstairs in the home. Evidence from the scene and the suspect’s actions ultimately led to the suspect’s identity in the incident, according to the fire marshals’ report. 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, MD
Charged with two counts of Attempted Murder in the second 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.