Teen Dies, Two Firefighters Hurt in W.Va. Fire

Oct. 15--PIEDMONT, W.Va. -- A 17-year-old Piedmont boy died and two volunteer firefighters were injured early Saturday morning in a blaze at 23 E. Hampshire St., according to Piedmont Fire Chief Deputy Tom Hamilton.

The fire in the duplex was first reported at 2:26 a.m. A firefighter from Westernport was treated and released, while the other volunteer from Tri-Towns Volunteer Fire Department was being treated for smoke inhalation at Western Maryland Regional Medical Center, Hamilton said Sunday. Hamilton would not release the name of the victim. The Times-News was unable to ascertain his name by late Saturday night.

"The cause of the fire and the estimated damages are undetermined at this time," he added.

The blaze is under investigation by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal.

Responding to the fire were units from Piedmont, Keyser, New Creek, Fountain, Shaft, Barton, Midland, Westernport, Lonaconing, Bloomington, McCoole, Mount Savage and Frostburg. Also at the scene were Tri-Towns EMS, the Mineral County Sheriff's Office and the Piedmont Police Department. The Burlington Volunteer Fire Department was placed on standby for Keyser during the emergency. In addition, an American Red Cross Cheseapeake Region volunteer from Mineral County responded to aid the two families displaced by the fire, according to Doug Lent, a spokesman for the organization.

"I want to thank everyone who responded to the scene and provided aid," said Hamilton.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at [email protected].