Just before noon on Wednesday, Masontown and Brookhaven volunteer fire departments responded to a call for a structure fire with entrapment at a residence on Snake Hill Road, near the Monongalia and Preston county line.
Firefighters on scene were able to extinguish the flames in a matter of minutes; however a resident was unable to escape the smoke and was found dead.
Masontown VFD Chief Dan Luzier said his department was first to arrive on scene, with two trucks and eight firefighters.
The department had the fire under control in about three minutes, according to Luzier.
On scene, Brookhaven Fire Chief Jimmy Lipscomb said the fire was contained to what appeared to be a large storage building next to the main residence.
The deceased victim, whose name is not yet available, apparently lived in the building, Lipscomb said, and likely died due to smoke inhalation; however, that had not been confirmed.
Because the residence was in Monongalia County, Masontown VFD turned the scene over to Brookhaven VFD when they arrived.
Monongalia County Emergency Medical Services and deputies with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist with the call.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, State Fire Marshals were still on scene investigating a potential cause of the fire.
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