March 06--WILLIAMSON -- In the early morning hours of Saturday, the Williamson Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Peter Street in East Williamson that involved three homes, one occupied and two unoccupied.
According to Williamson Fire Chief Jerry Mounts, the emergency call came through at approximately 1:40 a.m. Saturday. Upon arrival at the scene, the firefighters discovered one unoccupied two-story wood structure totally engulfed in flames, one unoccupied single-story wood structure heavily involved with fire and a two-story single family home burning openly in the rear section of the structure.
The first priority was to remove a physically-impaired female from the home that was owned by Raymond Cope (house # 526).
The woman was said to have escaped injury, thanks to the quick response time of the Williamson firefighters.
The other homes that were in flames were house # 530, owned by Eugene Ireson who is deceased, and # 528, reportedly owned by Elizabeth Ruble.
According to the chief, the firefighters' efforts to bring the fire under control were severely hampered by several extenuating circumstances, including inadequate water supply which forced the fireman to abandon the nearest hydrant after initial hookup and proceed to the next closest hydrant which was approximately 80 feet away; high voltage overhead power lines that burned and dangled in the fire ground; several exploding propane tanks; a ruptured natural gas line meter that burned uncontrollably and high winds that contributed significantly to the rapid spread of the fire.
"We believe the fire was likely to have been burning for quite some time before it was detected," said Mounts. "It is believed that a dog may have possible perished in the unoccupied home owned by Elizabeth Ruble."
Mounts listed all three homes as a total loss, and said that firefighters remained on the scene for a 12-hour period to assure the flames didn't rekindle.
"Given the terrible conditions we were presented with, I am very thankful no one was hurt and that the entire block on homes didn't become a conflagration," said the chief.
Williamson Mayor Darrin McCormick, Mingo County Emergency Services Director Jarrod Fletcher and Veolia Water Supervisor Kevin Murphy were on scene, developing a plan of corrective action addressing the inadequate water supply.
The fire department had 14 firefighters respond, along with Mingo County Emergency Services Medic I, STAT Ambulance personnel and officers from the Williamson Police Department.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Copyright 2012 - Williamson Daily News, W.Va.
