Jan. 23--A Terra Alta man arrested earlier this month is facing a second first-degree arson charge. Assistant State Fire Marshal Mackey Ayersman said a warrant was obtained Tuesday for David Allen Ridenour, 49. Authorities tried to find him, but were unable to do so.
Ayersman said Ridenour is believed to have set fire to an abandoned house on W.Va. 7 in
Corinth on Oct. 16. Firefighters told The Dominion Post the house sustained $15,000-$20,000 damage. One Terra Alta firefighter suffered a foot or ankle injury while battling the blaze, which Ayersman said required a cast. He said Tuesday that Ridenour will likely be indicted on a felony charge of causing injury to a firefighter.
Ridenour was charged with first-degree arson Jan. 9 for a fire set near Corinth on Oct. 3. He is accused of setting fire to an outbuilding near a mobile home on West State Avenue.
Ayersman said several arsons investigated recently are likely connected. He couldn't say if Ridenour is a suspect in other cases or if he is facing additional charges.
Copyright 2013 - The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
