WEBSTER SPRINGS, W.Va. — The state Division of Highways dedicated a new headquarters in Webster County Wednesday in memory of the DOH worker who died in an overnight fire at the former garage five years ago.
Stephen Cogar, 22, died in the blaze that happened on Dec. 4, 2017.
“He was a model kid and well respected in the community,” said Webster Springs Fire Chief Donnie McCourt told MetroNews at the time. “It was a tragic loss and a lot of our firefighters knew him personally. They had watched him grow up since grade school and it was hard on everybody.”
Cogar’s body was found in the front office of the building. The fire started in the back of the garage.
McCourt reported that the fire had spread quickly.
“It grew rapidly and made some very thick dense smoke that was very toxic,” he said.
DOH workers and others attended Wednesday’s building dedication in honor of Cogar.
A monument outside the building reads:
“This facility stands in honor of Stephen Matthew Cogar who was a young dedicated employee whose life was tragically taken in the structure fire on Dec. 4, 2017. May God bless Stephen’s memory and may God bless the safe keeping of all those who use this facility.”