WELLSBURG — Several fire departments were dispatched to a brush fire spurred by a downed power line, in the area of 4100 Bethany Pike Friday evening.

McKinleyville Fire Chief John Haas said firefighters first attempted to reach the blaze from the other side in an area off McAdoo Ridge but were unable to.

Haas said they climbed a steep embankment and used Indian pump tanks, worn on their backs, to spray the fire with water.

He said later all-terrain vehicles from four fire departments were used to reach the site and extinguish smoldering spots that had reignited after the fire was extinguished.

Haas said the effort was a collaboration involving his department and the Bethany, Beech Bottom, Wellsburg, Franklin Community, Hooverson Heights and Brilliant fire departments.

“I’m just glad it didn’t happen at midnight when someone might not have seen it,” he said.

Area fire and police departments contended with many brush fires, downed power lines and fallen trees spurred by winds gusting at 60 miles per hour or more, according to the National Weather Service.

Downed electrical lines also led to hundreds of Ohio Valley residents being without power, with utility crews still working into Sunday night to restore service.

Among the many damages was a blown out front window of the former Brooke Furniture building in Wellsburg. Large open windows at the rear of the Charles Street structure are believed to have contributed to the incident.