Wirt County home destroyed by fire

By ROGER ADKINS
ELIZABETH — A Wirt County home was destroyed Tuesday by a blaze that remains under investigation.

The fire occurred around 3:30 p.m. at a residence in Little Kanawha Estates off Newark Road. The residence is owned by Hope Wyman. No one was home when the fire occurred. No one was injured.

Chief Douglas Hill, Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department, said heavy smoke was coming from the residence when crews arrived on scene.

“It was a fire in the attic. Heavy smoke,” Hill said.

The way the home was constructed hampered firefighting efforts.

“It was actually a mobile home that had been built around, added onto. They actually built clear around it. It makes it a lot more difficult to fight the fire, to get to it,” Hill said.

Officials were on scene extinguishing hot spots until about 7 p.m., Hill said.

Firefighters from East Wood Volunteer Fire Department in Wood County provided assistance on the scene.

The fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature, but an investigation by the West Virginia Fire Marshal’s office is ongoing, Hill said.

The home was a total loss. Although it was still standing, it was gutted by the fire, he said.

The family lost all of its belongings, Hill said. The Wymans are staying with relatives. It is unknown if they had insurance, he said.