PIEDMONT, W.Va. — Firefighters from three counties battled a two-alarm blaze that engulfed two houses and damaged two others Sunday afternoon in Mineral County.
The fire at 24 Fairview St. in Piedmont was first reported to the Mineral County 911 Center just before 3:30 p.m., according to a 911 center spokesperson.
“When we arrived on scene, one house was heavily involved with fire and spreading to the second house,” Piedmont Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Zach Barbe said. “That was when we requested the second alarm assignment.”
Barbe said houses in that location of town sit very close together, with many only having a small walkway between them.
“Gusty winds at the time of the fire contributed to the spread of the fire,” Barbe said.
The two main fire houses were abandoned, unoccupied and complete losses, according to Barbe.
“A third house was occupied at the time of the fire,” Barbe said. “The occupants were able to safely evacuate. This structure suffered light smoke damage and exterior damage from the collapse of the middle residence.”
The exterior wall of the middle structure collapsed and was leaning against the third residence, Barbe said.
A small fire was reported on the porch of an East Hampshire Street home located to the rear of the main fire house.
“This fire is likely related to the Fairview Street fires,” Barbe said. “The homeowner was able to put the small porch fire out with a garden hose.”
Barbe said charred and melted siding was reported at that location.
Approximately 60 firefighters from Mineral County, Allegany and Garrett counties in Maryland responded to fire, according to Barbe.
No injuries were reported, he said.
The West Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office was on the scene Monday and is investigating, Barbe added.
Firefighters returned to the Fairview Street scene at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sunday for a rekindle, according to the 911 center spokesperson.
“A lot of these old buildings have multiple roofs and when a collapse occurs it is difficult to completely extinguish the fire,” Barbe said. “A small rekindle occurred from a few hot spots that flared up. There was no major fire.”
Barbe said units were able to control the rekindle in approximately 30 minutes.