Sep 11, 2015 2 min read

NEW FREEPORT – A fire that is believed to have started in a clothes drier destroyed a mobile home Thursday morning at 140 Pigeon Run Road in Springhill Township.

The New Freeport Volunteer Fire Co. was called at 10:50 a.m. to a home occupied by Paula Gorby and her sons, Matthew, Daniel and Brandon Debolt.

No one was home when the fire started. One firefighter was overcome by heat and checked by medical personnel at the scene, but was fine, New Freeport fire Chief Allan Shipman said.

Flames and heavy smoke were coming from the mobile home when firefighters arrived on scene, Shipman said. Shipman said the home was badly damage and though the roof was still in place, the home was gutted.

Gorby said the family lost everything in the blaze. She said she was in process of moving and about half of her possessions were still in the home.

“I’m just glad everybody is breathing” and no one was hurt, she said.

Brandon Gorby had been at the home earlier Thursday. He had started the drier and then went to the store, Gorby said. When he returned, smoke was pouring from the home, she said. Shipman said he believes the fire started in the drier.

The American Red Cross is assisting the family with food, clothing and transportation.

The Center, Wayne, Richhill, Hundred, W.Va. and Cameron W.Va. fire companies were called to assist.