ARSON ARRESTS Arrests Made In Early Morning Arson
Reported by: Bethany Simmons
Web Producer: Bethany Simmons
Reported: Aug. 17, 2012 10:33 AM EDT
Updated: Aug. 17, 2012 11:21 AM EDT
Huntington
, Cabell County
, West Virginia
Two men are in jail after police said they set an abandoned home on fire in Huntington early Friday morning.
Brian J. Johnson, 35, of Proctorville, Ohio, and Mark A. Sowards, 38, of Huntington are charged with first-degree arson, Lt. John Williams of the Huntington Police Department said. The fire happened just after midnight at a home in the 1100 block of 21st Street. Police said a witness saw the two suspects running from the area at the time of the fire.
Huntington firefighters got that fire under control before the entire structure could be destroyed. West Virginia State Police and a Barboursville canine unit also assisted at the scene.
Police caught up with the pair a short time later in the area of 20th Street and Charleston Avenue. No one was hurt in the incident.
Williams said police are investigating the possibility of whether these individuals could be linked to any other arson incidents. The city of Huntington has had nearly 100 arson cases this year.
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Bethany Simmons
