West Virginia fans burn couches so often, outdoor furniture is now illegal

West Virginia fans have a long history of setting things on fire -- couches and chairs are the most frequent victims.

In 2005, fire officials ordered all “upholstered furniture, debris and flammable objects” to be removed from city porches in student neighborhoods. Couch burning became a felony in Morgantown in 2011, but students have continued to set items of furniture ablaze after big Mountaineer victories. In 2012, the school made a PSA urging students to stop burning couches.

That didn’t work either.

City Manager Jeff Mikorski estimated 3,000 street fires have been started over the past 10 years in Morgantown. After a written warning, offenders can be fined up to $500.