Chesapeake house fire ruled to be arson

Posted to: Chesapeake News

Chesapeake firefighters at the scene of an early-morning house fire later ruled to be arson (courtesy photo)

By Cindy Clayton
Jim Washington
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 27, 2008

CHESAPEAKE

An early morning blaze at a house in the 1400 block of Fentress Road has been ruled a case of arson, according to investigators

Police have charged John R. Bradbury, 39, of Portsmouth, with felony arson. According to Chesapeake fire department spokesman Capt. Steve Johnson Bradbury confessed during an interview with fire investigators today and said the act was part of a dispute with his estranged wife, who had been living in the home but was about to move. Bradbury is being held in the Chesapeake CIty Jail, Johnson said.

No one was home at the time of the fire and no one was injured, Johnson said.

Two people spotted the flames and called 911 on cell phones at 2:38 a.m., according to Johnson.

The fire was under control by 3:43 a.m., Johnson said.

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