1st degree Arson Arrest

      On Friday, May 20, 2011 at 0110 hours, the Martinsburg Police Department responded to 711 West John Street for a report of a disturbance in which a fire was started in the residence, but had been put out.  Upon arriving on the scene, smoke was coming from the residence and the Martinsburg Fire Department responded.  It was determined that the owner of the residence, James Smith, got into an argument with his roommate, Jason Kesner.  Mr. Smith then lit a newspaper on fire, stated he was going to burn the house down and put the lit newspaper under a  bed.  The bed and some carpeting were damaged in the fire, no one was injured.

    James William Smith, Date of Birth: 01-17-1964, was arrested for 1^st degree arson and is awaiting arraignment at Eastern Regional Jail.