BARBOUR COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Four people died in a house fire late Wednesday night in Barbour County after a fire that investigators believe was caused by improperly discarded consumer fireworks.
According to the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office, Barbour County 911 received a report of a residential structure fire at 355 West River Avenue in Junior at 10:41 p.m. on July 1. Callers reported that people were trapped inside the home.
Firefighters arrived to find the front of the residence engulfed in flames. Crews searched the home and located four unresponsive adults — two men and two women — inside. All attempts to revive the victims were unsuccessful.
State Fire Marshal investigators responded to the scene and conducted the investigation with assistance from the West Virginia State Police.
Investigators determined the fire originated on the home’s front porch. According to the investigation, remnants of used consumer-grade fireworks were found in the area where the fire began.
Investigators determined the occupants had used the fireworks before the fire and believe the materials were improperly discarded into a waste bag containing other trash, which subsequently ignited and started the blaze.
Officials also determined there were no working smoke alarms inside the residence. Investigators said the victims were unable to escape because the fire blocked their exit from the home.
The victims were identified only by age and gender as a 61-year-old man, a 27-year-old man, a 26-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman.
The investigation has been completed by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office with assistance from the West Virginia State Police.
