Community Bulletin
Foot and ankle pain no longer means a long drive. Vandalia Health Foot & Ankle now treats patients in four central West Virginia towns — Buckhannon, Cowen, Elkins and Philippi — part of the network long known as Davis Health System. Read more →
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BUCKHANNON – A home on Pocahontas Street was destroyed in a fire early Saturday morning.
Buckhannon Fire Department Chief J.B. Kimble said the fire was called in at 12:42 a.m. on Oct. 24.
“The call was dispatched shortly after they received it. We were on scene in less than six minutes with the first engine, and the fire was probably under control probably in an hour,” Kimble said. “We remained there for about three hours.”
The cause of the fire was deemed accidental by the state Fire Marshal’s Office.
“There was a youth with some smoke inhalation, but they didn’t go to the hospital, and they were able to get all their pets out of the house,” Kimble said.
Kimble said the house was a total loss.
“It was throughout the house; it was one of those situations where you find it in one place, put it out and have to move to the next place,” Kimble said.
The Buckhannon Fire Department, Warren District, Washington District, Adrian, Weston and Elkins fire departments all responded to the scene.
Neighbors and community members have rallied to the family’s aid in the days since the fire.
Ashley Kurzrock has organized a GoFundMe campaign, “Help Gabi & Her Children Rebuild After Devastating Fire,” for her sister, Gabi, and her children. Kurzrock said contributions will help the family secure housing and replace clothing, household necessities and other essential items.
“By the grace of God, Gabi woke up in the middle of the night,” Kurzrock wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Anyone who knows her knows she sleeps like a rock. She had gone to bed with an ice mask because of a headache when she suddenly heard a strange crackling sound. When she looked out her bedroom window, she saw bright orange and red flames. The entire wraparound porch outside her room was engulfed in fire.”
Neighbor Amy Summerfield said in an Oct. 26 Facebook post that donations can be dropped off at her home at 163 Pocahontas Street in Buckhannon. She asked for clothing and household essentials and listed these sizes:
- Ryleigh: women’s extra-small/small; shoe size 8.5/9.
- Paxton: youth 10/12; shoe size 5.
- Gabi: women’s medium/large; shoe size 8.
- Ernie: men’s medium; shoe size 9.5/10.
Kloe Cirsie is also holding a tattoo gift-card fundraiser to help the family. Her post says each $20 contribution provides an entry to win a $500 tattoo gift card. Entries close at 11 p.m. on Oct. 28, and the winner will be announced at 9 a.m. on Oct. 29. Participation details are in her Facebook post.
