One Dead In West Virginia Fire
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) -- One man died in a house fire here early Thursday morning.
The victim's name was not immediately available.
The fire broke out in a residential area in the north end of town and was called in by neighbors at about 3 a.m., said Capt. Martin Spence of the Parkersburg Fire Department.
Witnesses on scene told WTAP-TV that a passer-by opened the door of the home to try to see if anyone was inside, but was turned back by the heavy smoke coming from the structure.
``Flames and smoke were coming out about every window'' of the 1 1/2-story frame house by the time the fire crew arrived, Spence said.
The home was a total loss, he said.
The state fire marshal's office is investigating the cause of the blaze, with help from local police and fire officials.