KEARNEYSVILLE, W.Va. —
The Eastern Panhandle community is processing the loss of a young combat veteran who lost his life battling an arson fire in Kearneysville Sunday.
As final arrangements are being made for 30-year-old Senior Airman Logan Young of the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron’s fire crew, another fire fighter injured in the blaze has been moved for further treatment.
Martinsburg Fire Fighters IAFF Local 805 reports their member, who is not identified, has been transferred to Ruby Memorial in Morgantown WV for some specialized orthopedic medical care.
They say in a social media post they are maintaining contact with the man’s family and say although he has a long road, “we will get through it.”
A beam reportedly fell on the two as they were battling the blaze in the 3800 block of Charles Town Road. Two other firefighters were injured, but Senior Airman Young succumbed to his injuries.
Young joined the West Virginia Air National Guard in 2018 and served as a fire fighter in the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron. He enlisted into the United States Air Force in 2011 and served on active duty in the security forces (military police) career field before transitioning into the WVANG according to a statement from the West Virginia National Guard Monday morning.
He was employed full time at the 167th Airlift Wing as a Military Authority Fire Fighter. He was a combat veteran and had previously deployed to the Middle East in 2014. He was the recipient of the numerous awards and decorations to include the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was a resident of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and is survived by his mother, father, brother and fiancée.
The 167th Airlift Wing fire crew was one of several that responded to the barn fire in the 3800 block of Charles Town Road.
The blaze broke out just before 2 Sunday morning; the State Fire Marshal’s office says it was intentionally set and is now looking for the public’s help in finding the person or persons responsible.
They believe a fire that broke out half an hour earlier about three miles away from the barn fire was also intentionally set.
The state Fire Marshal’s Office has announced an anonymous donor has given $15,000 toward the already $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call the West Virginia Arson Hotline at (800) 233-3473.