A Wilmington man has been charged with setting fires in Sussex County, including a blaze that burned down a landmark restaurant and replica lighthouse in Dewey Beach.
A criminal investigation into these separate fires by Delaware State Fire Marshal Deputies involving assistance and coordination with the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Delaware State Police, and Dewey Beach Police resulted in Richard B. Lodeski, 44 being identified as a person responsible for those separate fires.
On June 17, Delaware Deputy Fire Marshals obtained warrants for Richard B. Lodeski for Arson Second Degree and Criminal Trespass charges for each incident. Lodeski is currently incarcerated in the State of Maryland for arson-related crimes. (See story at the bottom of this post).
This comes after the Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal investigated separate fires in 2020 in the Rehoboth Beach – Dewey Beach area.
The first incident investigated occurred on April 23, 2020, at The Lighthouse Restaurant property structure and boardwalk area under construction. The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company arrived on the scene and found heavy flames coming from the structure.
Other fire companies assisted at the scene. State fire investigators were called to the scene and performed an investigation. The cause of this fire was determined to be arson. Damage was estimated at $750,000.
The second incident investigated occurred on June 3, shortly after 12:30 a.m., at the 35000 block of Wolfe Neck Road Rehoboth Beach at Aqua-Leisure.
The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company arrived and found smoke and flames coming from the structure. Other fire companies assisted at the scene. State fire investigators were called, and the cause of this fire was determined to arson. Damage was estimated at $200,000.
Anyone with information on either of these fires is asked to call the Sussex Division of the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office at (302) 856-5600.
Wilmington man admits guilt in Maryland blazes that caused $1 million in damage
