CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A Kanawha County magistrate has dismissed an arson charge against one of five volunteer firefighters accused of setting several structure fires in the Cabin Creek area.
Magistrate Tim Halloran ruled Thursday that the state failed to provide enough evidence in the case against Jeremy Ferrell, 23, of Dawes. Halloran said the only two witnesses that an assistant state fire marshal found to testify against Ferrell were other firefighters accused of arson.
Firefighter John Haymaker, 18, of Dawes said Ferrell lit the fire that torched an empty gasoline-soaked house in Dry Branch on October 10, assistant state Fire Marshal Paul Ritchie said during Ferrell's hearing.
``The state has brought forward no credible witnesses that can place this man there,'' Halloran said. ``I don't believe the state has proved its case against this defendant, and therefore I dismiss the charge.''
Volunteer firefighters Shane Hudnall, 25, of Cabin Creek; Joshua Harbaugh, 18, of Dry Branch; and Alex Perdue, 18, of Cabin Creek were also charged with arson.
