UPSHUR COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A West Virginia State Trooper helped rescue an elderly woman and rush a 10-month-old infant to medical care after arriving first on scene at a structure fire Friday afternoon.
According to officials, Trooper C.J. Elmore responded to a reported commercial structure fire around 1:00 p.m. on February 7, 2026. Upon arrival, he observed smoke coming from a nearby residence instead.
As he approached, a man was heard yelling, “My baby girl,” and ran into the smoke-filled home. Trooper Elmore immediately moved toward the house and asked whether anyone was still inside. A woman at the scene told him her elderly mother was on the back porch.
Trooper Elmore went through heavy smoke to the rear of the home, located the elderly woman, and helped her down an exterior staircase to safety, where she was turned over to emergency medical personnel. He then observed a 10-month-old infant who had been brought out of the residence and carried the child to EMS crews for immediate evaluation.
Authorities say all eight occupants of the home were safely evacuated without major injuries.
After the rescue, Trooper Elmore assisted the Buckhannon Fire Department and Upshur County EMS with traffic control to protect emergency crews and the public.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Officials also clarified that an earlier press release incorrectly stated the trooper entered the residence. Updated details confirm he did not go inside the home but did remove the elderly woman from danger and helped ensure the infant received prompt medical attention.
