The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 12, 2009

Fire chief: Crab Orchard fire appears suspicious

By Amelia A. Pridemore

Fire officials say a Crab Orchard house fire appears suspicious — noting a gas can was found near the fire’s origin.

The fire along Robert C. Byrd Drive, across from Super 10, was reported just after midnight Monday, Sophia Area Fire Chief Danny Treadway said. When firefighters arrived at the one-story house with a basement, flames were coming out of the back windows.

The blaze was extinguished in 10 to 15 minutes, Treadway said. Damage was mostly limited to two back bedrooms, a stairway to the basement and some windows. No major damage was done to the exterior.

The rental house was occupied, but the residents were apparently not home when the fire began, Treadway said. No firefighters were injured.

Treadway said the fire is suspicious. He said various points of origin were found, and there were no major electrical sources in the back bedroom where the fire is believed to have begun. A stairway connected that bedroom to the basement where authorities found a gas can.

Power was turned off at the house Sept. 17, but it had somehow been restored by someone other than utility company workers, Treadway noted. Gas had been shut off since August, but it had also been restored by someone other than a utility company worker.

State fire marshals will begin investigating Tuesday, Treadway said.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com

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