Published: April 22, 2007 10:14 pm      

Fire destroys several acres of forest; arson suspected

A Sunday afternoon fire on Clifftop Road in Lookout destroyed between 10 and 15 acres of forest, said Don Kelley, with the West Virginia Division of Forestry.

The fire, which was discovered by a spotter plane, patrolling the area for smoke, was reported at about 2 p.m.

Kelley said nearly 10 acres had been destroyed at the time of detection.

Firefighters from Danese, Nuttall and Meadow Bridge responded to the fire and were able to extinguish it fairly quickly, Kelley said.

Kelley, who is an arson dog handler, said he and bloodhound Sadie Mae tracked the fire, and, though no signs of arson were discovered, he believes the fire to have been intentionally set.

“It was set back in the middle of nowhere — about 200-300 feet off the road,” he said. “There were no power lines, railroad tracks, lightning strikes or anything that could have caused it.”

The investigation continues and Kelley said anyone who has any information regarding the fire is asked to call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-233-3473.

A $1,500 reward is offered for any information leading to arrest and conviction.

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Kelley and Sadie Mae also investigated an arson Saturday night in Crab Orchard.

Sadie Mae tracked three juveniles who are believed to have been responsible for the fire which destroyed about half an acre in the Stone Villa subdivision, Kelley said.

That investigation continues.