Man escapes Jefferson Township house fire
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A fire that started in the kitchen of a Jefferson Township home early Wednesday caused heavy damage to the residence.
Jefferson fire Chief Brady Mermon Sr. said firefighters were called to the blaze at 65 Bert Road about 2:15 a.m. and found the kitchen on fire.
The resident, Joe Gonzalez, was awakened by a smoke detector and escaped from the house uninjured, Mermon said.
The fire spread from the kitchen into the roof, and the home suffered extensive fire and water damage. Mermon estimated more than $40,000 worth of damage to the interior of the home.
“It’s pretty well gone,” Mermon said. “It didn’t gut it completely, but it’s pretty well done.”
A state police fire marshal was at the scene with Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department and is investigating the cause of the blaze. Mermon said the fire appears to be electrical following the initial investigation.
Firefighters from Avella, Burgettstown, Slovan and Franklin, W.Va., assisted Jefferson Township, Mermon said.