UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - A grand jury indicted two volunteer Prince George's County firefighters on arson and burglary charges Thursday.

Jerome Engle, 46, of Bowie, and James R. Martinez, 24, of Damascus, are accused of setting fire to a building at 5413 Riverdale Road, in Riverdale, Md., on March 17, 2008. Martinez is also charged with making a false report.

Engle is a firefighter with the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department and Martinez is a career Montgomery County (web | news) firefighter and former volunteer firefighter with the Riverdale VFD.

According to sources, it is alleged the men actually arrived in a Riverdale Volunteers utility truck to set the fire in Riverdale, then came back with trucks, hoses and ladders when the alarm sounded. Neighbors say they remember well the early morning fire and they are not happy to hear firefighters are accused of setting it.

Engle is charged with six counts, including second-degree arson, burglary, conspiracy to commit second-degree arson, burning with intent to defraud and malicious burning.

Martinez is charged with seven counts, including second-degree arson, burglary, conspiracy to commit second-degree arson, burning with intent to defraud, malicious burning and making a false report.

If convicted of all charges, Engle faces up to 51 years in prison and Martinez faces up to 54 years in prison.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the Prince George’s County Fire Department.

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