Fourth vehicle set on fire in Ranson

March 15, 2005|by DAVE McMILLION

RANSON, W.Va. - A fourth vehicle was set on fire in Ranson early Monday, said Ranson Police Chief Bill Roper.

A van parked near a house in the 100 block of Park Avenue was engulfed in flames when officials arrived, Roper said.

Because of an investigation that is under way in the arsons, Roper declined to say how the fire started. It was reported at about 1:45 a.m., he said.

But like a fire official said Sunday, Roper said it appears the arsons are random attacks.

"The victims had nothing in common," Roper said.

The van was destroyed, Roper said.

Roper said his department is working with the state Fire Marshal's Office on the investigation.

Roper encouraged car owners to secure their cars by locking doors on vehicles.

The first arson was discovered at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday on 10th Avenue when an officer for the Independent Fire Co. awoke to a popping sound, said Ed Smith, chief of the Independent Fire Co.

When the company's fire lieutenant went outside, he found his Jeep on fire, Smith said.

The fire official controlled the fire by spraying the Jeep with water from a garden hose, Smith said.

As firefighters were finishing their work at the scene, they were dispatched to two car fires on Park Avenue, Smith said. Those two cars were parked near each other, Smith said.

All three cars in Saturday's arsons were destroyed, Smith said.

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