Police Say Mount Airy Woman Set Her Own House on Fire

Arson charge stems from November 19 incident

Police believe a Maryland woman who called 911 for help set her own home on fire.

Patricia Jane Cullop, 47, of Mount Airy  called 911 on November 19 at 2 p.m. last month reporting a fire in her kitchen.

Emergency personnel responded to the woman's home on Old Bartholows Road, and found her locked in the attic.  Cullop was flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where she received treatment for smoke inhalation-related injuries.

Now, the Frederick County Fire Investigation Task Force has determined that Cullop intentionally set fire to her kitchen area. Investigators believe after starting the fire and calling for help, she barricaded herself in the attic

Police arrested Cullop on Tuesday.  She's charged with both arson and malicious burning.

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