A reward is being offered for an arson fire that claimed the life of an airman from the West Virginia National Guard early Sunday morning in Berkeley County.
Firefighters from several fire departments—including the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg—were dispatched to a fire in the 3800 block of Charles Town Road at 2 a.m.
At 2:34 a.m., a mayday was called and additional medic units were requested to the scene, according to a press release from Berkeley County Public Safety.
Four firefighters were transported to Berkeley County Medical Center, according to the release.
An airman from the 167th Airlift Wing was killed in the fire, according to a statement from the National Guard. The firefighter will not be identified until the family has been notified.
The West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office stated that the fatal barn fire is connected to a second fire reported about 1:30 a.m. The second fire, also on Charles Town Road, occurred three miles away in Jefferson County and investigators said both involved vacant structures.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered and and people are urged to contact the West Virginia Arson Hotline at (800) 233-3473 with any tips.
A firefighter from the City of Martinsburg Fire Department was injured and is expected to recover, according to a post from Martinsburg IAFF Local 805.
