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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Cambridge Man Arrested for 2025 Arson

News |

DORCHESTER COUNTY, March 19, 2026,  Deputy State Fire Marshals served an arrest warrant on Patrick Ryan Gifford (28).  Gifford was located by Deputy State Fire Marshals at his home located at 510 Academy Street in Cambridge.  Gifford is accused of setting a fire to a home at 1105 Race Street in Cambridge on August 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM following an argument with an occupant of that residence.  The one alarm fire brought 36 firefighters from the Rescue Fire Company out to battle the blaze.  It took firefighters 1 hour to bring the fire under control.  The fire displaced 5 occupants and caused approximately $250,000.00 in damages to the two story, wood frame, single family home.

Patrick Ryan Gifford
Patrick Ryan Gifford

Gifford was indicted by a Grand Jury on Monday, March 16th 2026 for the charges of Arson 1st Degree, Attempted Arson 1st Degree, Malicious Burning 1st Degree, Malicious Burning 2nd Degree, Malicious Destruction of Property over $1,000.00 and three counts of Reckless Endangerment.  Deputy State Fire Marshals were later issued an arrest warrant for Gifford.  With the assistance of the Cambridge Police Department, he was located and served with the warrant today. Deputy State Fire Marshals transported Gifford to the Dorchester County Detention Center without incident.  If found guilty of all charges, Gifford faces a maximum penalty of 95 years and 6 months of incarceration and/or $123,000 in fines.