West Virginia Firefighters Charged with Arson

Posted by: Curt Varone November 16, 2009 0

Four volunteer firefighters from Logan County, West Virginia have been arrested on arson charges. The three adults and one juvenile, along with two non-firefighters, were charged in connection with several fires in the Buffalo Creek area that occurred last spring.

Channel 8 News in Charleston (Eyewitness News) quoted Deputy Fire Marshal Reed Cook as saying that there have been 40 firefighter-arson arrests in West Virginia so far this year. The cases have sparked a backlash by firefighters who are angry and upset that all firefighters in the state are being unfairly cast. However, Channel 13 News is quoting State Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis as guaranteeing more arrests by year's end.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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