Arson Ruled In Fire That Killed 8 Horses

The State Fire Marshall’s Office says it has ruled a barn fire in Morgan County that killed eight horses as arson. Public Information Officer Shane Cartmill says it happened around 11:30 Sunday night at 874 West Richards Road in McConnelsville. Cartmill says in addition to the fire, investigators are also looking into message painted on the barn and the barn doors prior to the fire. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the fire or the message painted on the barn to call the Division of State Fire Marshall at 1-800-589-2728 or the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office at 740-962-4044. Investigators think someone has more information about this fire and they are urged to call authorities. The owner is identified as Brent Whitehouse and he was home at the time of the fire. He called 911 immediately upon discovering the fire.