Tough fire to fight

By Jessica Legge and Katie Wilson
Times West Virginian

WHITE HALL April 22, 2009 01:18 am

— Ten fire companies from two counties responded to the scene of an early morning fire Tuesday.
A fire broke out at an unoccupied home on U.S. Route 250 south of White Hall Tuesday. According to Boothsville Volunteer Fire Chief Raymond Knight, the home had been unoccupied for at least 18 months and was recently sold. The new owner hadn’t moved in yet.
While no water service was connected to the structure, it did have electric and gas service, Knight said.
According to dispatchers at Marion County’s 911 center, the fire was reported at 5:27 a.m. Before long, more help had to be called to the scene.
Knight said the structure was fully engulfed when his company arrived on
scene. Flames had broken through the roof and some of the home’s flooring had collapsed.
“It had been burning for awhile before we got there,” he said.
He confirmed no one was hurt in the blaze.
It was a particularly difficult fire to fight, Knight said. The flames just kept rekindling, forcing fire personnel to stay on scene for six hours before it was completely out.
In addition to Boothsville, the following volunteer fire companies responded to the scene: Valley, Winfield, Bunner Ridge, Monongah, Worthington, Barrackville, Rivesville, Grant Town, and Taylor County. The Marion County Rescue Squad also responded.
Valley VFD was in charge of the scene, but could not be reached for comment.

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