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Morgantown City Fire Marshals arrested a Westover man for first-degree arson following an investigation into a fire that occurred at 10:39 p.m. Monday.
Robert Louis Wilson, 70, of 440 Dunkard Ave., Westover, was charged after investigators allege he set fire to a pile of construction debris and trash inside a garage space located on the first floor of 1993 Water St., Morgantown.
The building is a 32-unit apartment building leased to 44 residents.
The fire spread quickly due to the sprinkler system serving the garage spaces being disabled, along with excessive construction debris that was being stored inappropriately.
The Morgantown Fire Department and Office of the Fire Marshal acknowledged the outstanding work of Capt. Mark Thalman and the C-Crew firefighters who responded to the incident. From the time the call was dispatched, crews arrived on scene in just 3 minutes and 26 seconds and had the fire under control in an additional 1 minute and 39 seconds. The rapid response, speed and efficiency of the firefighters prevented what had the potential to become a major loss of life or property.
All tenants were able to remain in their residences following the fire. The Morgantown Fire Marshal’s Office is working closely with the building owner and property management company to correct and abate violations identified during the investigation.
Wilson was arraigned in Monongalia County Magistrate Court on Wednesday and bond was set at $30,000. He is being housed in the North Central Regional Jail.
The Morgantown Police Department and Westover Police Department assisted the Morgantown Fire Marshal’s Office with the investigation.
Anyone with additional information about this fire should contact the Morgantown Fire Marshal at 304-284-7485.