In the quiet coastal town of Salisbury, Maryland, a seemingly trivial dispute over a $7 debt erupted into a shocking act of vengeance that left a community stunned. On July 3, 2025, 51-year-old Janice Louise Oney, a woman known to her neighbor for years, allegedly transformed a petty argument into a dangerous crime, setting a man’s front door ablaze in a fiery act of retribution. What began as a heated exchange over a small sum spiraled into a scene straight out of a crime drama, complete with gasoline, a bicycle getaway, and a trail of evidence that led authorities straight to her doorstep.
The incident unfolded in the 300 block of Penn Street, a residential area in Salisbury, roughly 30 miles west of the bustling Ocean City boardwalk. According to the homeowner, Oney arrived at his home that evening, her temper flaring over a $7 debt she claimed he owed her. The two, described as acquaintances of several years, engaged in a brief but intense argument. Frustrated, Oney stormed off, leaving the man to believe the matter was settled. But minutes later, she returned, her intentions far from peaceful. Armed with a bottle of gasoline, she allegedly doused the front door and struck a flame, setting it alight before pedaling away on a bicycle under the cover of the summer night.
Fortunately, the homeowner’s quick thinking prevented disaster. He extinguished the fire before it could spread beyond the door, averting what could have been a catastrophic blaze. By the time investigators from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Salisbury Fire Department arrived, the flames were out, but the evidence was still smoldering. With the help of an arson detection K9 named Deacon and surveillance footage from nearby businesses, authorities pieced together a damning case. The footage captured Oney’s actions, from the gasoline pour to her swift escape, leaving little doubt about her involvement. The fire was ruled intentional, and the hunt for Oney began.
On August 1, 2025, a warrant was issued for Oney’s arrest, charging her with a litany of serious offenses: first- and second-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property over $1,000, reckless endangerment, and theft under $100. That same evening, with assistance from the Salisbury Police Department and Maryland State Police, Oney was apprehended and taken to the Wicomico County Detention Center. Initially held without bond, she appeared before a District Court Commissioner and was later released on a $25,000 unsecured personal bond on August 4, 2025, according to Wicomico County court records. Her preliminary court hearing is scheduled for August 28, 2025, where she will face the consequences of her alleged actions.
The story of Janice Oney’s fiery outburst has left Salisbury residents reeling, sparking conversations about how a small debt could ignite such a dramatic response. Was it truly about the $7, or did years of unresolved tension fuel her rage? As the community awaits her day in court, one thing is clear: in a single reckless moment, Oney turned a minor grievance into a blaze that could have cost far more than the debt she sought to settle.