Kanawha County Firefighter Dies in the Line of Duty

With heavy hearts we mourn the tragic loss of one of our brother firefighters from the Davis Creek – Ruthdale Volunteer Fire Department (Kanawha County Station 18). During the early morning hours of Sunday, December 4th Firefighter Joseph "Joey" King was fatally injured after falling from a bridge during a fire investigation. Ultimately, a fire involving some 160+ railroad ties was discovered and later extinguished. On Wednesday, December 7th the Kanawha Bureau of Investigation along with the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office and West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office arrested Charles "Darren" Roberts, 37, of Alum Creek. Roberts reportedly admitted to starting the fire and is currently charged with third-degree arson, additional charges related to Firefighter King's death are pending at this time. Firefighter King was laid to rest on Friday, December 9th with full firefighter honors. Over fifty departments, including Pinch VFD, participated in Firefighter King's services. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the King family and the Davis Creek Volunteer Fire Department.