The blame for a series of Cabell County wild fires has been laid at the feet of two former area firefighters.
Former Ona Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Landy Chapman and former Salt Rick Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Allen Black have both been charged with felonies, surprising people in Salt Rock. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office said investigators caught a break when the pair called in, and responded to a fake fire on River Road in February. The fire marshal's office said the call traced back to Chapman’s cell phone.
“Really, it’s kind of defeating their purpose,” Butch Ferguson said.
Investigators said Black and Chapman admitted to setting the fires they had been charged with, and they could face more charges. Both were fired by their respective fire chiefs.