The Wood County Commission, Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure and Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens joined West Virginia Fire Marshal Ken Tyree in honoring members of the East Wood Volunteer Fire Department and the Wood County Sheriff’s Department who responded to a house fire in Davisville this past May where responders were able to save the life of a 6-year-old girl. Those honored included Gary Goodwin, Kevin Harris, Keely Pritchett, James Dawson, Kyle Craig and Levi Cross of the East Wood VFD and Sgt. Della D. Matheny and Deputy Tasha L. Hewitt from the Wood County Sheriff’s Department. Matheny could not attend the ceremony. Stephens accepted her award on her behalf. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — First responders were honored Monday for their efforts in saving the life of a 6-year-old girl in a Davisville fire in May.

Six members of the East Wood Volunteer Fire Department and two members of the Wood County Sheriff’s Department were presented Lifesave Awards from West Virginia Fire Marshal Ken Tyree and Department of Military and Public Safety Secretary Jeff Sandy Monday morning at the Wood County Courthouse.

”We are here to recognize several brave individuals,” Tyree said.

Crews responded May 5 to 72 Spruce St., Davisville, where they were told at least two adults and one child were inside, he said.

Deputy Chief Gary Goodwin, firefighter Kevin Harris and EMT Keely Pritchett were first on the scene and made entry into the house where Harris was able to pull out one child and they were handed off to Pritchett. Sgt. Della D. Matheny and Deputy Tasha L. Hewitt of the Wood County Sheriff’s Department began to assist with those who were brought out and administered CPR to the young girl and helped with resuscitation efforts with the others.

West Virginia Fire Marshal Ken Tyree presented Lifesaver Awards Monday to members of the East Wood Volunteer Fire Department and the Wood County Sheriff’s Department for actions they took in a May 5 fire in Davisville where the life of a 6-year-old girl was saved through their efforts. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

The two adults, Robert Taylor, 58, and his wife Charolette Taylor, 52, died as a result of the fire.

”The 6-year-old young lady is alive today due to the actions of the firefighters and the deputy sheriffs,” Tyree said.

Awards were presented to Goodwin, Harris, Pritchett, Matheny, Hewitt as well as James Dawson, Kyle Craig and Levi Cross of the East Wood VFD.

Matheny could not attend Monday so Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens accepted her award on her behalf.

The incident remains under investigation. Tyree commended law enforcement and the fire department for preserving the scene as a case is being built.

Each first responder honored at Monday’s ceremony was given a pin from the Department of Military and Public Safety that honors those who uphold the values of those in their office. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Madison Wine, 16, was recently indicted on charges of first-degree arson and murder in the deaths of the Taylors. Wine was a resident of the house where the fire took place, although officials declined to specify her relationship with the Taylors.

A civil suit filed over issues related to ownership of the house and heirs since Robert Taylor died without a will says Wine had been adopted by the Taylors.

Over the last 150 years the Department of Military and Public Safety has lost 106 individuals in the line of duty, Sandy said. A pin was designed under the administration of Gov. Jim Justice for those who uphold the values of those in their office, he added.

Each of the honorees was presented with a pin for their actions in this instance.

Tyree presented a calendar to the Wood County Commission that commemorates fire safety. The pages are fire safety posters designed by school children across the state.

The theme was “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape.”

”Everyone can participate when it comes to fire safety,” Tyree said.

Wood County Commission President Blair Couch thanked the volunteer firefighters and the first responders for what they do.

”I am sure you all still have memories of that night,” he said. ”We thank you for what you do for our community.”