FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — An early morning fire in Fayette County left two people dead. The blaze broke out about 1:45 a.m. Saturday on Gatewood Road near Riner Dairy in Mt. Hope.
The two victims were trapped inside the burning home with Fayette County deputies arrived on the scene and were unable to save them. Five volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze.
“This was a very large, hot fire,” said Sheriff Steve Kessler. “A lot of people don’t realize how strenuous and physically draining firefighting is, particularly in weather like this. Fire service commanders sometimes have to rotate their firefighters to provide a break and prevent exhaustion.”
Sheriff’s Department Detectives and the West Virgina State Fire Marshal’s office were called to the scene. The bodies have been sent to the state Medical Examiner’s office. By Saturday afternoon the state Fire Marshal’s Office said the blaze was believed to be accidental in nature.
“We believe we know the identities of the deceased individuals, but until this identification is confirmed through the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, no names will be released,” said Kessler.
Authorities haven’t released the names of the two victims pending the identification by the Medical Examiner.