MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A Berkeley County, W.Va., volunteer firefighter was charged Saturday with setting a fire that resulted in serious injuries to another firefighter last week.

James Luther Blackford II, 30, of Martinsburg, was charged in connection with Tuesday’s fire that destroyed a barn off Williamsport Pike, Sheriff Kenneth M. Lemaster Jr. said.

After setting the fire, Blackford went to the Bedington Volunteer Fire Department station, about 100 to 150 yards away, Deputy State Fire Marshal Reed Cook said.

Blackford didn’t say anything about the fire, but, as a Bedington member, responded to it when a call was dispatched, Cook said.

About 15 minutes went by after the fire started before the department got the call and responded to it, which let the fire spread quickly through an old hay-filled barn, Cook said.

Kenneth Ayers of the Baker Heights Volunteer Fire Department, who also responded to the call, was critically injured when part of a barn wall fell on him, fracturing bones in his face, fire officials said last week.

Authorities said Saturday that Ayers’ condition is improving and he’s scheduled to have facial surgery on Monday, according to an update from his fiancée. Ayers was listed in serious condition Saturday at Washington (D.C.) Hospital Center.

Tuesday’s barn fire is one of about 11 in Berkeley County since early March that are being considered arson.

Four were on March 7 and one on March 8, Cook said. Another happened April 4 and two more the next day.

Authorities said some fires appear to be linked. Lemaster said police have leads in some cases.

However, Cook said he’s 99 percent sure the barn fire is not connected to the others.

Cook and Lemaster declined to reveal more details of Blackford’s alleged role in the barn fire, such as how or why he might have started it. They said they’re keeping some information private while they investigate the possibility that someone else — who is not a firefighter — was involved.

Blackford injured his ankle while responding to the barn fire. He was treated Tuesday at City Hospital and released.

Bedington Fire Chief Tom Newcomb said Blackford has been with his department for about three years. Blackford was suspended pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Blackford was charged with first-degree arson, setting a fire on another’s land and causing injuries during an arson fire, all felonies.

He was being held Saturday night in the Eastern Regional Jail. As of 8:45 p.m., he still was awaiting arraignment by a Berkeley County magistrate.

Cook said the investigation into the string of arson fires picked up when Ayers was critically injured. He said authorities heard conflicting statements from people they interviewed Wednesday.

Anyone with information about the fires may call Berkeley County Crime Solvers at 304-267-4999 or an arson hot line at 1-800-233-3473.