08/24/2005 - Structure Fire - 1007 Elkins Drive

    Companies 20, 17, 23 were alerted for a structure fire at 1007 Elkins drive at approx. 0400 hours after sheriff's deputies reported a working structure fire.  While enroute to scene 20-4 requested two additional companies after hearing reports from the sheriff's department of flames showing, multiple buildings involved.  Companies 12 and 14 were then put on the call.  20-4 arrived on scene and established incident command and requested an engine and a ladder from Morgantown Fire Department.  He then requested a county tanker taskforce after realizing there was no water supply available.  Tankers out of companies 14, 15, and 21 responded.  Engine 203 arrived on scene and 20-2 assumed command.  Tower 204 also responded.  Crews from Engine 3 initiated an attack into the fire building while crews from Ladder 1 vented the roof.  Crews from Engine 203 initiated an offensive attack to save the building adjacent to the fire building.  Crews from Tower 204 assisted Ladder 1 with ventilation and performed overhaul.  Ladder 176 also assisted in truck company operations.  An estimate of $60,000 in damages were incurred to the townhouse at 1007 Elkins Drive leaving the building inhabitable, whereas $30,000 in damages to the adjacent building.  The cause of the fire was determined to be a BBQ grill on the first floor patio of the fire building.  All crews became available at approx 1200 hours the following day.

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Courtesy of the Dominion Post	Courtesy of the Dominion Post

Deputy alerts WVU students to fire in home

Firefighters say blaze probably started in grill

BY NATALIE NEYSA ALUND The Dominion Post

   A deputy may have saved the lives of three WVU students Friday after calling in an early morning house fire on Elkins Drive, just outside Morgantown’s north border.
   Sgt. Roger Gidley, with Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, initially responded to a disturbance call at Orchard Crossing at about 4 a.m., a MECCA spokesman said.
   “People were trespassing in the pool area of the apartment complex,” the spokesman said.
   While investigating the disturbance, Gidley drove across the street to South Fork Townhomes and saw flames on the side of the house at 1007 Elkins Drive, said Star City Volunteer Fire Department Capt. John Hubert.
   Gidley called 911 and then banged on the door of the house to alert the residents, Hubert said.
   Asleep inside were the homeowner, Kenneth Lazenby, and roommates John Bupp and Jeffrey Hayes — all WVU students.
   Hubert said the students woke to the banging and made it safely outside.
   The blaze then spread to an adjacent home at 1013 Elkins Drive where owner John Hess was also asleep inside.
   Gidley woke Hess up and he also made it safely outside.
   The fire damaged the garage side of that town house, said Star City Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Quinn. Quinn, who was on scene Friday afternoon cleaning up fire debris, said arson is not suspected.
   Star City Volunteer Fire Department, Morgantown Fire Department, Monongalia Emergency Medical Services, Granville Volunteer Fire Department and Westover Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene shortly after 4 a.m.
   Firefighters had the blaze under control at about 5:07 a.m., a MECCA spokeswoman said. Units cleared the scene at about 9 a.m.
   Assistant State Fire Marshal Mackey Ayersman said the cause of the fire was undetermined Friday but a preliminary investigation indicates the fire started in a grill on the back deck of the town house.
   Ayersman said Bupp was cooking hamburgers on the grill at about 1 a.m.
   “When they were done, Ken said he shut the propane tank off and saw small flames left in the grill,” Ayersman said. “It looks like the grill lid was closed, but somehow the grease and whatever was left at the bottom of the grill — aluminum maybe — began to smolder and caught fire. You can never predict how long something will smolder and how long it could take to catch fire — it can take hours sometimes.”
   When the grill did catch fire, it spread to the deck and into the town house.
   “I don’t usually deal with grill fires,” Ayersman said. “This is a one-and-a-million situation — but anything is possible.”
   Star City VFD was on scene Friday working in a light rain, covering a hole in the townhome’s roof to prevent additional water damage.
   Lazenby was also at the home, surveying the damage. He gave no comment.
   The town house’s estimated structural damage is about $60,000, Ayersman said. The adjacent home’s damage is about $30,000.
   Gidley was off duty Friday afternoon and not available for comment.

**Article Above Courtesy of the Dominion Post**