LEATHERWOOD, W.Va. — A Monday morning house fire in Kanawha County claimed a man’s life.
The blaze at a residence located along the Left Hand Fork of Leatherwood near Clendenin was first reported at about 10 a.m. The family identified the victim as Larry Cantrell.
Kanawha County Fire Coordinator C.W. Sigman said the first fire department that arrived found half of house engulfed in flames. Cantrell was later found inside.
Sigman said it’s likely the fire had been burning for several minutes before it was noticed.
“The first arriving officer from the Clendenin Fire Department was here pretty quick. He lives reasonably close by and he got here pretty fast,” Sigman said.
Investigators with the state Fire Marshal’s Office arrived on the scene before noon Monday. Sigman predicted they would be able to determine the cause of the blaze.
“Looking at where the origin of the fire seems to have been from the area of worst burn and you look at that area of worst burn and what’s there that could have caused the fire,” he said.
Fire crews from Clendenin, Pinch and Frame were on the scene.