MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Murder charges have been filed against a Martinsburg woman accused of setting the fire that killed two children.
Molly Jo Delgado, 29, faces two counts of first degree murder and one count of first degree arson stemming from the Jan. 24 fire at a home on Cracked Walnut Way in Martinsburg that left her 3 and 5 year old sons dead.
Assistant State Fire Marshal George Harms tells WEPM News the investigation was successful thanks to the work of first responders.
“When they arrived on scene, their firefighting tactics preserved the scene well for us to do our investigation,” Harms said.
Firefighters from the Beddington Volunteer Fire Department, Hedgesville Volunteer Fire Department and Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department responded, along with EMS Personnel.
Delgado allegedly started two fires, one on each of the children’s beds, and then left the home securing it from the outside.
Delgado’s husband was asleep in the master bedroom when he awoke to the smell of smoke at about 10:30 p.m.
He exited the house through a kitchen window and was injured trying to reenter the home to rescue the boys.
Harms said the investigation involved numerous agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police.
“West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office is the lead investigative division for all fires,” Harms explained. “Normally we take the lead on these cases.”
Delgado’s role became clear as investigators conducted interviews.
“We talk to a lot of people during any investigation,” Harms said. “We just follow the leads at that point and it takes us where we go.”