Man killed in West Finley fire
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
The scene of a fatal house fire May 7 at 177 Beham Ridge Road in West Finley Township
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
The scene of a fatal house fire Monday at 177 Beham Ridge Road in West Finley Township
The Washington County coroner said it may take weeks before the victim of a fire that destroyed a West Finley Township home early Monday is identified.
Coroner Tim Warco said efforts will be made to obtain dental records of the person they believe is the victim, but if they cannot, then DNA will be used to identify the person.
“Based on circumstantial evidence, we believe we know who it is,” Warco said. “But I want the data to make sure.”
West Finley fire Chief Steve Emery said the victim is believed to be a man who was in his 50s. After an autopsy late Monday afternoon, Warco confirmed the victim was a man.
Emery said the two-story farmhouse at 177 Beham Ridge Road was engulfed in flames when the first fire crews from West Alexander and Dallas, W.Va., arrived on the scene after getting the call about 1:37 a.m.
“When we pulled out of our station, we could see the flames,” Emery said, adding the call indicated one person was trapped inside the house.
The victim was found in the basement. One person was outside the house, but Emery said it was not clear if that person had been inside the residence when the fire started.
A state police fire marshal was at the scene. Trooper Thomas Kress, who is working with the fire marshal on the investigation, said the cause of the fire has not been determined.
Responding were firefighters from West Finley, West Alexander, Claysville and South Franklin Township in Washington County, Richhill in Greene County and Dallas, Valley Grove and Stone Church in West Virginia. Canton Township firefighters were on standby at the Claysville station. A crew from Ambulance and Chair also assisted.