Maryland Man Accused of Insurance Fraud

A Frostburg man is accused of setting his home on fire in a bid to collect insurance payments.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office says 40-year-old Bruce Opel was arrested Friday.

The fire occurred last April at a home owned by Opel that was under renovation at the time. An investigation revealed that construction debris in the living room had been set on fire.

Opel was indicted on second-degree arson and insurance fraud charges. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of more than 20 years in jail.