Raleigh County Church Fire is Investigated as Arson

Emergency crews in Raleigh County report a structure fire is being investigated as an arson. The Saint Colman Catholic Church in Shady Spring was devastated by fire Sunday, according to a social media post from the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department. The post described the blaze as “suspicious in nature” as crews responded to the scene to find the building leveled and smoldering. The Beaver VFD reported receiving assistance from Ghent VFD, Coal City VFD, Ghent EMS, West Virginia State Police and the National Park Service. Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact State Police at 304-256-6700, the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s arson hotline at 1-800-233-3473 or Crime Stoppers of Raleigh County at 304-255-STOP.