Man wanted for attempted murder; house where stabbing took place destroyed by fire

WOOD COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — UPDATED – 7:27 a.m., 8/19/24:

A fire broke out Monday morning at the same Wood County address where a stabbing was reported Sunday, officials said.

The Wood County Sheriff's Office said no one was home at the time the fire started and the house was a total loss.

Police continue to search for Charles Clinton Hess IV for attempted murder in connection with Sunday's incident.

Volunteer fire departments from Waverley, Deerwalk, Eastwood, Mineral Wells and Elizabeth extinguished the flames.

The fire is being investigated by the Wood County Fire Investigations Team along with the Wood County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau.

ORIGINAL STORY

According to the Wood County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, a man is wanted for attempted murder following a stabbing in Wood County.

Deputies said Charles Clinton Hess IV, 23, was last seen in the 1800 block of Buckner Bend Road and is considered armed and dangerous.

Hess is described as 1.75 m tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

The sheriff's office urged anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately and not to approach him.