Molotov cocktail attacks 'infrequent' on Delmarva

Molotov Cocktail attacks are "pretty infrequent," despite a recent arrest of a couple accused of throwing one to burn down a house.

Deputy Fire Marshal Cory Hurst has been investigating fires on the Eastern Shore since 2008, but he said he can't remember the last time he investigated a Molotov Cocktail related fire.

"It's pretty infrequent around this area," Hurst said. "I can't speak for other parts of the state, but it's not something we see daily. I can't say the last time I personally investigated a Molotov Cocktail incident."

On Feb. 13, a Molotov case landed on Hurst's desk, when Salisbury Police referred an attempt at burning down a home in the 400 block of Jefferson Street in Salisbury to the state fire marshal's office, according to court records. An empty bottle of Wild Irish Rose--a screw-top wine-- had been filled with gasoline and thrown at the home, however it did not result in any damage to the home, records show.

During the investigation, Hurst discovered the victim had been in a dispute with his sister, 38-year-old Netisha D. Black, after he inherited his father car upon his death a month and a half prior to the attack, records show. Black, as well as her boyfriend 62-year-old Gregory L. Washington, were arrested and charged in connection with the attack last week, the state fire marshal's office announced.

Black was upset over her brother inheriting the car and wanted to burn down his home, records show. The two were being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center, according to court records.

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A Molotov Cocktail is an explosive frequently fashioned from a glass bottle, a rag and a flammable liquid such as gasoline. The device was ironically named during the 1939 Soviet invasion of Finland  after Vaycheslav Molotov, one of Joseph Stalin's trusted advisers. Finnish fighters named the cocktail after Molotov due to frequent radio broadcasts in which Molotov asked the Fins to surrender.

Hurst said a Molotov Cocktail is dangerous not just for the victim of an attack,  but for the perpetrator as well.

"First off, its a felony to make one," Hurst said. "But you have to think about it. If you're putting ignitable liquid inside a bottle, then lighting a wick before throwing it, that liquid could splash out and ignite you while you're throwing it. They are very dangerous devices all around."

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