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Barboursville man dies in fire
Barboursville firefighters and emergency rescue teams respond to a structure fire Friday, January 9, 2009, at 1135 McClung Ave. in Barboursville.
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BARBOURSVILLE -- An 81-year-old Barboursville man is dead after a fire broke out at 1135 McClung Ave. on Friday afternoon, officials said.
The victim was Junior Wamsley Vandall, according to his grandson, Cain Vandall, who was headed to the Huntington area from his home in Columbus, Ohio, after learning of the fire.
Firefighters received the call about 3:30 p.m.
"Upon arrival, we found heavy black smoke and flames coming from the windows," said Paul Hockenberry, assistant chief of the Barboursville Fire Department.
The man was found dead in the home when firefighters entered, Hockenberry said. He said the fire appeared to have started in a TV-room area.
"At this time, we don't know exactly what caused the fire," Hockenberry said.
Virginia Walker of Lincoln County was driving by the green, one-story residence when she saw smoke coming from the house and pulled her vehicle over to dial 911. Walker then yelled to nearby construction workers for help.
Dwayne Adkins and Tony Lykins were working on a home on the next corner when Walker found them.
"We kicked the door in because we knew there was an old man inside," Adkins said.
He said the workers were sure an elderly person lived next door because Meals on Wheels visited the residence every day.
They tried to enter the house through multiple entrances, but the home was thick with smoke, he said.
"I tried to go in the side door and it was like sticking your head in an oven," Adkins said.
Lykins tried to enter the back door of the residence, too.
"It's hard to say what you'll do until something like this happens," Adkins said. "Right now I just wish I could have tried harder."
Hockenberry said the home is likely a total loss.
Fire crews from Green Valley and Ohio River Road also responded to the call, as well as the Barboursville Police Department and Cabell County EMS.
The state fire marshal also is investigating.
