She faces charges in both states.
Oakland, Md (KM) A woman from Terra Alta, West Virginia is charged with setting fires in West Virginia and Maryland. .
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office says it was contacted by West Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office on January 9th, 2024 after Rachel Lin Giffen, 23, was arrested. She is charged with setting fire to a large wooden bin outside of the End Zone convenience store in the 34000 block of Veterans Highway just outside of Terra Alta. She worked at that store. . The flames were quickly contained with minimal damage to the building.
While she was being interviewed, Giffen admitted to setting fire to Fox’s Pizza Den in Oakland on July 4th, 2023 where she was previously employed. Oakland is about ten miles from Terra Alta. .
After an investigation, Maryland State Fire Marshals developed Giffen a suspect in that fire which was set in a restaurant closet, and was quickly contained by fire fighters.
After posting bond in West Virginia, she turned herself in to authorities in Maryland. Giffen is charged with 2nd-degree malicious burning. She was released on $5,000 bond.
By Kevin McManus