MEDIA RELEASE: Barbour County Man Admits to Setting Fires

Charleston, W.Va. – Investigators with the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office have arrested a Barbour County man on arson charges.

 

Gordon Lee Barlow of Philippi was arrested on Monday, Oct. 9 on two counts of first-degree arson. The charges allege Barlow set several fires at a property on Spall Lick Road in Philippi at around 7:33 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 8.

 

A fire scene investigation conducted by Assistant State Fire Marshals Mackey Ayersman and Rick Sovastion revealed three separate set fires on the property. One fire was set along the south porch of a dwelling, the second destroyed a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup truck, and the third damaged a detached garage.

 

The suspect admitted to setting the fires to investigators. Additional charges are pending. Barlow, 45, was transported to the Tygart Regional Jail pending arraignment, with bail set at $50,000 bond surety or cash.