Tommy Newell of Mt. Zion was laying down for a nap on Thursday evening when he heard the sound of popping on the upper floor of his home. He ran up the stairs and quickly opened the door to a room where an electric heater had been, and regretted that quick decision. The backdraft from the fire caused slight burns to his hair and facial area, he was lucky that he did escape with his dog.
Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched at 5:31 p.m. with Chief David Johnson arriving on scene at 5:34 and the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department units at 5:43 p.m. At that time the house had quickly became fully engulfed and the two story dwelling was more than Grantsville wanted to fight alone. Both Arnoldsburg and the Upper West Fork Departments joined the fight with Calhoun EMS/Minnie Hamilton Ambulance waiting nearby in case anyone needed assistance. Even Community members stepped up to assist the fire department members in the battle while the Calhoun Sheriff and West Virginia State police monitored and blocked traffic for nearly three hours while the departments fought the blaze that refused to die.
American Red Cross also arrived on scene to offer assistance to the family.
The fire was finally out and all firefighters returning to their stations between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m.
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