CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office has been assisting Kanawha County authorities and the Pratt Volunteer Fire Department since Saturday when a Pratt fire engine was involved in a wreck.
The state Fire Marshal’s office has been working to assist in any needed way as the Pratt community prepares for the funerals of Assistant Chief Mike Edwards and Lt. Tom Craigo, both of Hansford. Edwards and Craigo died Saturday while responding to a fatal collision on the West Virginia Turnpike. Three other firefighters were injured in the crash.
“Hopefully, all the public recognizes the sacrifice that emergency responders and first responders make,” state Fire Marshal Ken Tyree said. “Those being served by a volunteer fire department, these communities hopefully realize all the sacrifices that are made to serve them.”
The visitation for Edwards will be held Friday between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Riverside High School. Funeral services will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. at the school. Following the Edwards service, a procession will leave Riverside High School for O’Dell Funeral Home.
The services for Craigo will also be held at Riverside High School; the visitation will be held Monday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the funeral will take place Tuesday at 2 p.m.
The state Fire Marshal’s Office is also warning residents about a phone scam in which a scammer has been reported as soliciting money to help those affected by the deaths.
“Here you have the tragedy that you do, and then someone follows up with something so deceptive as this, which could cause people to be vulnerable,” Tyree said.
Tyree said if someone receives a call, they should ask for contact information of the associated agency or reach out to the group the caller claims to represent.