Published: July 08, 2009 11:02 pm      

Keyser Comcast building fire arson

KEYSER, W.Va. — Saturday’s fire that destroyed the North Main Street building housing Comcast communications equipment has been ruled as arson.

Deputy Fire Marshal Patrick Barker, who investigated at the scene following the 9:30 p.m. incident, made the determination that the fire was deliberately set, according to Kathy Green, Investigation Division secretary at the agency’s Charleston office.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries in the incident.

The fire caused a loss of $200,000 to the structure and $100,000 to Comcast equipment. Video and Internet service to Comcast customers in the Keyser area was temporarily disrupted until Comcast established a new communications hub.

Barker and another official of the fire marshal’s office investigated at the scene along with the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, which provided an accelerant-detection dog. A private insurance company’s cause-and-origin investigators also assisted along with Keyser Police Department and the Keyser Volunteer Fire Company.

Although no suspects have been identified, Barker said, “We are trying to follow up on some information that we have developed.”

A reward of up to $1,500 is being offered by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office. Information may be provided to the West Virginia arson hotline at (800) 233-3473.

Assistant Keyser Fire Chief Chris Paitsel had said that preliminary investigation indicated the fire was suspicious and had two points of origin.

The building at 55 N. Main St. served as a residence before it was purchased by Telemedia, which leased it to Comcast. Only one room of the two-story wood frame building was occupied, Paitsel said.

The fire caused minor damage to the nearby M&T Bank and Reed’s Drug Store.