BY JARETT LEWIS
CHARLESTON — It has now been three years since the death of Air National Guard firefighter Logan Young.
Young, a senior airman with the Martinsburg-based 167th Airlift Wing, died while battling a barn fire in a rural area of Berkeley County early Dec. 27, 2020. Investigators said a beam in the barn collapsed and struck him and another firefighter, who survived.
The state Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire was an arson and there is still an ongoing search for a suspect.
Chief Deputy of the state Fire Marshal’s Office Robbie Bailey said they have received tips over the past three years, but nothing definitive as far as finding the person responsible for intentionally setting the fire.
“We continue to actively work it and chase down any leads that come up,” Bailey said. “Our marshals out in the field continue to track those down.”
A mayday was called sometime around 2:30 a.m. that morning. Three other firefighters were injured while fighting the fire on Charles Town Road.
Bailey said they do not consider this case to be a cold one. The office looks into the fire on a regular basis with weekly discussions.
“It is not put on the shelf, it is very much an active case,” said Bailey.
The chief deputy believes there is someone or maybe multiple people who know something in connection to the deadly fire. Even if it might be a small detail, Bailey said that piece of information could be crucial to the ongoing investigation.
“That could end up going together with other information that we already have or that we’re trying to piece together,” said Bailey. “There’s lots of things that we already know, but we feel confident that the right bit of information that could really get some closure for this case.”
A $23,000 reward is being offered for someone who brings forth information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Young’s death.
Those with information are asked to call 800-233-3473. That number is a 24-hour hotline for tips to be left. Those who call can ask to be anonymous.
Along with being a firefighter, Young was also a combat veteran with a 2014 deployment to the Middle East.
Young was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
