A fire early Tuesday morning in New Matamoras killed a handicapped man who couldn't escape his home, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Killed was Barry Ward of 15050 County Road Nine.

Ward's parents, who lived with him, escaped the fire unharmed, Sheriff Larry Mincks said. Their names and ages were not immediately available.

"I believe (the victim) was in his 50s, but I'm not sure because he never had a driver's license," Mincks said. "His parents, who I believe are in their 70s, were unable to get to him."

Mincks said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. State fire investigators are expected to be called today to help determine what sparked the 4 a.m. blaze.

Fire departments from New Matamoras, Newport, Little Muskingum and Pleasants County, W.Va,, were all called to help battle the fire.

Mincks said the home was engulfed when firefighters arrived on the scene. The home was a complete loss.

"Most of the help was needed for getting water," Mincks said. "There was inadequate water supply there and they ran back and forth to New Matamoras School to fill their tankers."