The West Virginia Daily News previously reported that Donald Eugene Naylor, Jr., 56, of Smithers had been charged with first-degree arson after an investigation into a fire which occurred on Laird Street last month. Additional information pertaining to the incident has since been released.
On January 28, the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department responded to a residential-fire at 17 ½ Laird Street. After containing and extinguishing the blaze, fire department officials requested the assistance of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department in locating the property owner, identified as Donald Eugene Naylor, Jr.
According to the criminal complaint, deputies located Naylor at an Orchard Avenue residence. Naylor, who was reportedly intoxicated, allegedly advised deputies that he had poured kerosene all over the inside of the house. The complaint further states that, due to Naylor’s level of intoxication, deputies did not take a formal statement from him at that time. A fire investigation was then performed to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
The investigation found that the fire had been intentionally set.
On Wednesday, February 3, investigators met with a witness at the Smithers’ Police Department. According to the criminal complaint, the witness advides investigators that “Naylor came into the residence upset, and poured kerosene all over the furniture of the structure and lit the kerosene of fire.”
An arrest warrant was issued for Naylor, and he was arrested on the evening of Tuesday, February 23. Naylor is currently being held at Southern Regional Jail on $25,000 cash-bond or surety.
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