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Update: House Fire In Cumberland

January 27th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

 A 14-year-old was injured when an accidental fire occurred in a residence at 208 Pear St. just before 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Cumberland Fire Department.

The Cumberland Times News the youth, a relative of the occupants, was taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation and released later in the day.

City Fire Marshal W. Shannon Adams said the youth and three children in the Lena Campbell family were awakened to the fire by smoke detectors. They took refuge at a neighbor's property just before Cumberland firefighters arrived at the scene. Campbell had reportedly left for work before the fire occurred.

First-arriving units reportedly found fire shooting from a second-floor window and encountered fire and smoke on the second floor when they began an interior attack of the blaze.

"They did an excellent job in quickly knocking down the fire," said Chief Donnie Dunn. "Their performance was impressive, especially with the heavy snow and freezing conditions during the incident."

The fire was confined to the second-floor bedroom where it originated. Fire damage occurred to the room and heat and smoke damage to the remainder of the second-floor. The first floor suffered water damage. 

Damage estimates to the structure and its contents were estimated at $30,000, according to Adams.

No damage occurred to the 210 side of the structure, which was vacant.

The two-story brick duplex is owned by Del-Del Allegany Properties of Cumberland.

The Campbell family was displaced by the fire and were provided temporary housing and other emergency assistance by the American Red Cross.

Adams said his investigation determined the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical space heater that was placed too closely to a plastic stand.   

The city fire marshal said instructions for space heaters should be closely followed by users. He said those instructions typically call for a 3-foot clearance on all sides of the portable heating unit for safe usage.

Twenty-four firefighters responded to the incident. The firefighting operation was directed by Battalion Chief Daron Winters. LaVale and Ridgeley, W.Va., volunteer fire departments responded to the scene while Bedford Road and Keyser volunteer fire departments stood by at the Cumberland Fire Department's central station.

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February 18th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

WCBC News has learned of a working house fire at 208 Oak Street in Cumberland. WCBC News will have more information as it becomes available…


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