All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Man arrested for arson in blaze that injured firefighter

Grogg

BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man alleged to have set fire to his estranged wife’s home on the Spruce Fork Road in August was arrested Tuesday on three arson-related charges.

According to the criminal complaint filed in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office by investigating officer Assistant West Virginia State Fire Marshal Ronald “Mackey” Ayersman with the Fire Investigation Division in Charleston, Daniel S. Grogg, 25, has been charged with first-degree arson; causing injuries during an arson-related crime; and willfully, unlawfully and maliciously setting a fire, all felonies.

According to the file, a fire occurred at 5:33 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 at a residence located at 805 Spruce Fork Road in the Brushy Fork area to which the Buckhannon Fire Department, Upshur EMS and other county fire departments responded.

Ayersman noted he was assisted by assistant state fire marshal Rick Sovastion and Paul Alloway in the investigation.

“At the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined that the fire was incendiary (arson) in nature,” Ayersman wrote in the complaint.

The file states the owner of the property, Katie Grogg, told law enforcement officials she had received a phone call from her soon-to-be ex-husband, Daniel Grogg, informing her that the house was on fire.

While firefighters were working to subdue the blaze, Daniel Grogg reportedly told law enforcement officers who were wearing body cameras that he had entered the house by “climbing on to the back porch, pushing the air conditioning unit from the west side window of the addition bedroom” and then hoisting himself into the home, Ayersman wrote in the report.

Grogg had returned to the scene while firefighters were trying to put the fire out and told law enforcement “that he had not been at the residence for several hours” and was dropped off at the end of Spruce Fork Road by another individual after learning his house was on fire.

However, “Katie Grogg advised that her soon-to-be ex-husband had never actually lived in the residence and was upset because his name was never put on the deed … and he was well aware that he was losing the home and his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter in the divorce,” Ayersman wrote in the report.

Katie Grogg’s father, Cliff Sponaugle, also reportedly told the state fire marshal’s office that Daniel was being investigated for an unrelated crime; when Ayersman spoke with the investigating officer in that matter, Upshur County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Gordon, Gordon verified that he was in the process of investigating the case and planned to obtain felony warrants once the investigation was finalized.

The state fire marshal’s office also obtained statements from two individuals, one male and one female, who said they were friends of Daniel Grogg’s.

“Both witnesses indicated that they were present at the home [on Spruce Fork] just prior to the fire occurring,” Ayersman wrote in the complaint.

The two witnesses also reportedly told the state fire marshal’s office that Daniel Grogg “was behind the residence alone for a few minutes just prior to them leaving the scene” initially.

“Video surveillance shows smoke coming up over the roof within 12 seconds of Daniel Grogg … hurriedly coming from behind the residence,” Ayersman wrote.

One of the witnesses alleged Daniel had been upset about damage to his car that he believed his estranged wife was responsible for. The same witness said Daniel had just seen damage that had been done to his car that day and was “extremely upset and literally cried after he saw what …had been done to his car.”

The witness said Daniel then removed a cabinet he had reportedly given to his wife from the garage and “began smashing it in the backyard,” according to the file.

Ayersman noted that Buckhannon Fire Department career firefighter Tanner Smith suffered a knee injury while trying to subdue the fire and had to be transported from the scene to Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Captain Joey Baxa with the BFD said the department immediately contacted the state fire marshal’s office, which arrived on scene that evening to investigate the fire.

“Any time there is a firefighter or first responder injured in a fire, we automatically contact the state fire marshal’s office to investigate,” Baxa said Wednesday morning.

Grogg’s bail was set at $75,000 cash or surety, and he’s being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

If convicted, Daniel Grogg faces imprisonment for two to 20 years in the state penitentiary on each charge.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Faith Baptist Church to host Vacation Bible School from July 21-25

Faith Baptist Church will host a Vacation Bible School for kindergarten through sixth grade children July 21-25, featuring nightly sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. and a family fun night on the final evening.
Summer basketball

Summer basketball league tips off week three

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League completed its third week at West Virginia Wesleyan College, with standout performances from Evan Parr, Josh Trent, Quentin Cooley, Rayden Triplett, and several games decided by forfeits.

Small Business Development Center names Lyla Grandstaff as new coach serving the Buckhannon area

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center has appointed Lyla Grandstaff, an experienced business consultant and educator, as the new business coach serving Buckhannon and surrounding counties.

Upshur Parish House kicks off annual backpack program to support local students

The Upshur Parish House has launched its annual Back-to-School Backpack Program, seeking donations of new school supplies and hygiene items to help local students return to class prepared and confident.

Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur sets ambitious goals for growth and outreach

The Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur unveiled an ambitious multi-year plan to grow club membership, boost outreach through digital and in-person initiatives, expand fundraising, and increase community involvement and accessibility.

Charles Wilson “Chuck” Canfield

Charles Wilson “Chuck” Canfield, beloved husband, father, and grandfather known for his kindness and humor, passed peacefully at home on April 5, 2025, leaving behind a devoted family and many friends.

Ella Margaret Moore

Ella Margaret Moore, a devoted Christian and active member of Reger United Methodist Church who leaves behind a large, loving family, passed away peacefully at age 91 in Buckhannon.

Post 7 to host recognize veterans Monday during Jr. Legion game, Sr. league team opens Area 2 Tournament on Tuesday

Buckhannon Post 7 will honor veterans during the Junior Legion team’s final home game Monday before the Senior League team begins Area 2 Tournament play Tuesday, following a challenging regular season.

Buckhannon City Council weighs options for spending $351,000 carryover

Buckhannon City Council will hold a special meeting July 15 to discuss how to allocate $351,000 of a $1.1 million budget carryover.