Story by Mike Nolting, MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Terra Alta woman has been arrested in connection with arson at two businesses where she had worked in the past year.
According to the state Fire Marshal’s Office, Rachel Lin Giffen, 23, of Terra Alta, is charged with second-degree arson in connection with the Jan. 9 fire at the End Zone/PARMAR store on Veteran’s Highway in Terra Alta. Firefighters arrived on scene to find a large wooden bin filled with cardboard in flames inside the garage area of the business. Firefighters were able to put the blaze out and minimize damage to the building.
When Giffen was interviewed by investigators she admitted to intentionally setting the fire. She told police she had been working at the store for about three months when the incident occurred.
During the interviews with Giffen, investigators learned about a fire in July 2023 at a Maryland pizza parlor she had been employed. As a result, the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office obtained a warrant for her arrest.
Giffen was charged with second-degree arson in West Virginia on Jan. 17 and posted a $35,000.00 cash or surety bond.
Giffen is expected to turn herself in to Maryland’s Fire Marshal on Thursday in the July 2023 case.