A situation at United Hospital Center could have turned out much worse if not for the quick actions of a bystander as well as what Bridgeport Police Chief John Walked called quick action by a “well trained staff” at the medical facility.

 

On Tuesday evening, around 10 p.m. the Bridgeport Police and Bridgeport Fire Department responded to a fire call at the hospital off of Jerry Dove Drive. Allegedly, 30-year-old Heather Michelle Jones of Mannington, had set fire to three different trash cans that could have led to major problems.

 

“We’re thankful they were spotted quickly and handled,” said Walker “The first one was spotted near the entry way to the emergency room and a bystander grabbed a fire extinquisher and put it out.”

As for the remaining fires, those were also handled. Walker said safety procedures and guidelines followed by UHC staff prevented the situation from getting worse. All the trash can fires were on the first floo.

 

“With all of the training in place, it would be difficult for those fires to have spread significantly. At the same time, it could have happened,” said Walker. “Anyone that would do something like that is putting many lives at risk because you just don’t know what could happen. That’s such a large building and even with evacuation plans, when you’re dealing with individuals that have medical conditions it’s not a quick process. We’re thankful it didn’t get close to that.”

 

Jones would be arrested shortly after the fires were put out. Police were looking for a female with a red hoodie and that female was spotted nearby and arrested at Sheetz. Walker said she was arrested without incident.

 

Jones is now facing a charge of arson. She is lodged in the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County and is facing a $50,000 bond.

 

Editor's Note: Photo via North Central Regional Jail.