McLean Man Charged with Setting Fire After Barricading Himself in Apartment

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department fire investigators charged Michael Gordon, 62, 8350 Greensboro Drive, McLean, with several felonies involving an incident that began at approximately 2 a.m., Tuesday at a McLean high-rise apartment complex in the 8300 block of Greensboro Drive.

Gordon was charged with: 

• 18.2-77, burning of an occupied building
• 18.2-83, threat to burn or damage a building
• 18.2-86, setting a fire capable of spreading

Fairfax County Police were initially called to the apartment complex for a loud music complaint. Upon investigation, Gordon threatened officers with a weapon and then would not allow officers entry into the apartment. A strong hazardous materials odor was also detected by the officers. An unidentified ignitable liquid was found and is being tested by a laboratory.

Police made entry into the apartment hours later, taking Gordon into custody. Residents from three floors of the apartment complex were evacuated for several hours. There were no injuries.

Damage from several fires in the apartment is estimated at $10,000.