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-Joshua Wayne Williams was

charged with four counts of

first-degree arson and one

count of second-degree arson

for five recent fires at the

Washington Lands trailer court.

MOUNDSVILLE - A Monday blaze struck close to home for a man accused of setting several fires in Marshall County.

According to Marshall County Magistrate records, accused arsonist Joshua Wayne Williams's address is 233 Curtis Ave., Moundsville, which is situated next to 231 Curtis Ave., a home that burned Monday evening.

Last week, Williams, a former volunteer firefighter, was charged with setting five different fires at the Washington Lands trailer court. He was released on bond.

Fire officials said they are aware an alleged arsonist lives near the Curtis Avenue fire site, but they did not name Williams as a potential suspect.

"Let me put it to you this way, we are aware that an arsonist lives in the vicinity," Moundsville Fire Chief Noel Clarke said of the fire at 231 Curtis Ave. "We're exploring all options."

Clarke noted the cause of the Curtis Avenue fire is under investigation. He said he believes he knows the fire's origin, but he will not disclose that information until the investigation is complete.

Moundsville police Officer Darren Whipkey, the investigating officer in the fire, also said he is aware of "an arsonist's" residence on Curtis Avenue. He said an investigation will continue, but noted there is little to go on.

"There were no witnesses, no evidence," Whipkey said. "All we have right now is circumstantial evidence."

Firefighters were called to the blaze at 8:41 p.m. Monday. The home was unoccupied at the time, but the single-story house was destroyed. The home was being rented by Tom Markey and Debbie Persinger. At the scene, Moundsville volunteer Chief Danny Holmes said Persinger had come home from the store to discover smoke. She dropped her bags and ran to a neighbor's house to call for help.

Investigators from the state Fire Marshal's office were at the burned out house on Tuesday.

Williams, 27, last week was charged with four counts of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree arson for five recent fires at the Washington Lands trailer court. He also is being investigated in connection with a sixth fire at the trailer court and could be facing more charges in connection with that fire. No one was injured in the Washington Lands fires.

Officials said they have no reason to believe these fires are connected to the Sept. 19 blaze at the former Fostoria Glass Factory.

Washington Lands Fire Chief Ed McCloud said Williams is a former member of his department who was fired several months ago for violating the department's bylaws.