Four McDowell County firefighters were arrested Thursday on charges of intentionally setting fires in the War area of McDowell County.
Cody Patterson, 26, James Stutson, 40, Michael Click, 28, and Brandon Short, 22, have all been charged by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office with first-degree arson and conspiracy, according to a press release from the agency.
The suspects were setting fires “for the excitement of it,” according to the investigating officer, Assistant State Fire Marshal L.T. Hamrick.
“The guys were all bored and wanted a call to go on,” Hamrick said Thursday, after the suspects were arraigned in Welch.
The investigation began after investigators were called to a vacant apartment fire in War on Oct. 31, 2018, where it was determined that the fire was incendiary in cause, according to the fire marshal’s press release.
Hamrick said the investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.