BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Authorities arrested a 25-year-old Inez woman Thursday morning following a fire at a Martin County apartment building, charging her with child endangerment and drug offenses.
Deputies charged Deanna Wiley with endangering the welfare of a minor, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and probation violation for felony offense.
Martin County Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd responded to the 900 block of Rockcastle Road to assist the Inez Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters at the scene told Kidd they believed a single extension cord running from an upstairs apartment into Wiley’s unit below had sparked the blaze. Relatives of Wiley occupied the upstairs apartment.
“The occupants upstairs stated that [Wiley] had no electricity with two kids and that was the reason for running the extension cord,” Kidd said.
Investigators said the cord was supplying power to space heaters, a television, electronic devices and kitchen appliances.
Wiley told deputies that she had been asleep when her juvenile son’s screams awakened her. She said she entered the living room and saw the extension cord on fire, with flames already reaching the ceiling.
Firefighters reported seeing what appeared to be drug paraphernalia on the kitchen table. When police questioned Wiley, she allegedly told officers it was “just marijuana” and claimed to have a prescription. Authorities said the marijuana was on the kitchen table along with a grinder filled with marijuana in direct reach of two juveniles.
Police contacted the Department of Social Services and subsequently, the children were placed into protective custody.
Wiley remains in jail at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Inez Volunteer Fire Department reported moderate smoke coming from the structure upon arrival. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one room. The Inez department got assistance from Warfield and Turkey Creek fire departments.
No injuries were reported.
This story was updated to reflect an additional charge of probation violation for felony offense and to correct the suspect’s name.