A fast-moving house fire Friday night killed a Mannington couple who failed to escape their home.
Family members identified the victims as Lyndell and Gladys Harvey, ages 78 and 74.
According to investigating officer Donald Efaw, the fire started at about 9:30 p.m. and ripped through the couple's home at 207 Fairview St., Mannington.
Volunteer fire departments, including Mannington, Monongah and Fairview, arrived on the scene to put out the blaze. Firerescue personnel from Marion and Wetzel counties also responded.
Fire crews were able to get the fire under control at about 11 p.m. They remained at the scene until about 5 a.m. A neighboring house was also damaged, but was kept watered down and under control, Efaw said.
The Mannington Fire Department returned to the site at about 9 a.m. Saturday because the fire had rekindled. It was put out quickly, Efaw said.
Efaw said the state fire marshal also arrived early Saturday morning to conduct a preliminary investigation. The cause of the fire has not been released. Police do not expect foul play.
"As far as we know, it was accidental, but it is still under investigation," Efaw said.
Copyright 2012 - The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
