By Fred Pace
A fire at Beckley West Apartments in which a pregnant single mother lost everything has been ruled arson, according to investigators.
The fire, which started in the upstairs of one unit, destroyed the apartment that was shared by the mother, Jodia Morton, and her two children.
Firefighters from Bradley-Prosperity, Beaver, Mabscott and Trap Hill responded to the blaze, according to Bruce James, fire chief of the Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department.
The state fire marshal’s office has officially ruled the fire an arson, but did not release any additional details.
Meanwhile, a fire at a home on Lee Street in Beckley Sunday is being investigated as suspicious.
Firefighters put out the fire that caused only minor damage, according to an official with the Beckley Police Department.
Investigators said there were no injuries and said the fire was isolated to an upstairs apartment.
Investigators say the owners were renting out the home to two different tenants.
The tenants living in the downstairs apartment were home, smelled smoke and called for help.
A police official said officers were called to the home earlier for a domestic dispute in the upstairs apartment.
The official said the investigation is ongoing.
— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com
