WEIRTON - Emergency crews responded to a structure fire on South 17th Street Wednesday afternoon, when flames engulfed a home housing a family with two small children.
According to Weirton Fire Department Capt. Jerry Shumate, the story and a half home caught fire near the rear of the structure and the cause remains under investigation by the city fire department and police. He said four of the five family members - two adults and two preschool-aged children - were home at the time of the fire.
"Thankfully, there were no injuries to the family or members of the fire department," he said.
Shumate said the 10-member crew and several volunteers managed to contain the fire to the structure without damaging another home. He said it took the six responding vehicles approximately 30 minutes to douse the flames, but crew members remained on scene to prevent smoldering insulation in the home from rekindling.
Steubenville Fire Department and Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Department were put on standby.
The house sustained heavy damage in the rear, where the source of the fire is suspected to have been located. Shumate said the structure was estimated to be worth $35,000; in addition, he said he is not sure the structure can be rebuilt. He said there also was an estimated loss of $30,000 worth of possessions inside the house.
Shumate said there were several smoke detectors that did not work properly.
