A gas dryer is likely the cause of a five-alarm fire that destroyed a Preston County couple’s home early Monday afternoon.
Masontown VFD Chief Dan Luzier said the home at 42 Orchard Lane, off Rohr Road in Masontown, was a total loss, with an estimated $500,000 in damages.
The fire is thought to have started around the clothes dryer then spread to the wall, Luzier said. The flames then spread to a new edition that was not yet finished on the back side of the home. High winds at the time quickly pushed the flames throughout the entire house.
According to Luzier, the home was fully engulfed in flames when the first fire engine arrived on the scene.
Firefighters from the Masontown, Cool Springs, Reedsville, Newburg and Kingwood volunteer fire departments were on scene, along with emergency medical personnel from Kamp Ambulance Services.
A few residents in the area surrounding the home said they heard a loud bang that sounded like an explosion, followed by several smaller explosion-like sounds.
The neighbors believed the explosions were the gas clothes dryer that likely caused the fire, followed by propane tanks the residents were known to have.
Luzier said in addition to the home, several antique cars, ATVs and a boat were damaged by the blaze.
Fire marshals are still investigating an official cause of the fire.
The homeowners, a husband and wife, were said to have been home at the time of the fire, but were able to make it out safely. Neighbors said they believed a pet cat did not make it out in time.
