State Fire Marshal Investigating Slew of Recent Fires in Preston - WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, Weather

State Fire Marshal Investigating Slew of Recent Fires in Preston County

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By Lauren Talotta, Producer/Reporter - email

The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating several Preston County fires that it has ruled arson or suspicious.

A recent fire at an unoccupied house in Newburg, located next door to the Chestnut Ridge Heights Church, is believed to be arson, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office. It said the house had been unoccupied for several years, and its electric was turned off.

The house is located just a few minutes from the Shay's Chapel United Methodist Church, which burned to the ground on Monday. It ruled the fire suspicious after investigators found evidence that someone was stealing fuel oil from the tanks inside the building.

The State Fire Marshal's Office said another unoccupied house fire that occurred on December 14 on Rankin Road, just outside Fellowsville, is also believed to be an arson.

It said all three structures are a total loss.

The State Fire Marshal's Office is offering up to a $5,000 reward to anyone with information about these fires that leads to the arrest or conviction of those responsible.

Anyone with information should contact the office's Arson Hotline at 1-800-233-FIRE.