HARRISON COUNTY, W.Va. Deputies from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department believe the recent fire reported at the recycling center was arson and have arrested and charged a Clarksburg man.
Deputies believe Richard Coffman, 29, set the blaze at the Harrison County Recycling Center Sunday afternoon and is being held in the North Central Regional jail charged with first-degree arson.
As deputies responded to the initial call at 12:30 p.m., they received a report of a suspect running from the facility wearing a red hoodie who was later identified as Coffman.
At the scene, a witness told deputies that Coffman was seen in the area trying to set fire to another structure within the last few days, but the lighter was taken away from him.
Deputies located Coffman and were able to apprehend him after a foot pursuit.
Deputies said they found Coffman with two lighters and noted he had an overpowering odor of smoke in his clothes.