UPDATE: Morgantown Fire Marshals Make Arrest in Halloween Prank Fire Incident

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Morgantown Fire Marshals have arrested Brett Matthew Brown, 28, of Morgantown charging him with Reporting a False Alarm of Fire and Obstructing a Fire Marshal. The original incident occurred on Oct. 31, 2020 at 229 Dewey Street. Investigators determined that Brown called a third-party individual stating that his apartment was set on fire with gasoline, and a woman and her baby were still inside the building.

The incident resulted in emergency responses from Morgantown Fire and Police Departments, Monongalia County EMS, and the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office. Responders arrived to find theatrical smoke coming from a window which was later determined to be a Halloween prank.

Original Release: Nov. 2, 2020

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – At 11:52 p.m. on Oct. 31, the Morgantown Fire Department was alerted of a structure fire in the Greenmont area of Morgantown. The initial call to MECCA 911, which was made by a third party not at the scene, indicated that there was a fire in a building with a woman and infant trapped inside.

Morgantown Fire crews, along with officers of the Morgantown Police Department, West Virginia State Marshal’s Office, and Monongalia County EMS responded to the area. Emergency personnel scoured the neighborhood and discovered smoke emanating from a window at an apartment building at 229 Dewey Street.

Officers forced entry into the building and were able to retrieve the female and the infant from the building. Further investigation revealed that the structure was not on fire but was filled with theatrical smoke which was being generated as a part of a Halloween stunt. The building was checked, and all occupants were found to be safe.

The incident and false report is under investigation by the Morgantown Fire Marshal’s Division and the Morgantown Police Department.

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