The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has deployed its national response team to Baltimore to help investigate the many fires that broke out in the city amid riots Monday.
"The ATF will continue to provide support to the city of Baltimore throughout this crisis and will work hand-in-hand with our local counterparts to identify, investigate and recommend for prosecution the individuals responsible for the violent acts of arson committed throughout the city during this tragic time," said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan in a statement.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal in Maryland is also sending its Investigation Unit, it said.
"We will continue to assist in the efforts of our allied agencies to mitigate the outcomes of both accidental and heinous criminal acts," said State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci in a statement.
The ATF said its national response team "provides an immediate and sustained nationwide response capability, typically deploying within 24 hours of notification, with state-of-the-art equipment and the most qualified ATF personnel available."
The team will supplement the arson investigation work being done by local ATF teams already in the city.
The riots broke out in various neighborhoods across the city Monday afternoon, two days after more peaceful protests were held in the city over the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. During the chaos, at least 144 vehicles and 15 structures were burned.
Also on Tuesday, the ATF said some Baltimore Police Department officers deputized as ATF Task Force Officers and who had been called back to perform their police duties for the events Monday were among the 17 Baltimore Police officers who were injured.
"I don't know specifically what injuries were sustained by whom," said David Cheplak, an ATF spokesman.