Published: May 08, 2009 08:11 am      

City fire leaves mother, son homeless

Investigation hampered by roof, floor collapses

CUMBERLAND — A 27-year-old East Side woman and her 4-year-old son were left homeless when fire of an unknown origin destroyed their residence early Thursday.

Cumberland firefighters found the two-story frame home at 114 W. Reynolds St. engulfed in flames following alert at 1:13 a.m. by the Allegany County 911 Joint Communications Division.

“It was pretty much fully involved when our crews pulled up,” said City Fire Chief Bill Herbaugh, who directed the fire operation when the response was elevated to a second alarm.

A 911 call from a neighbor prompted the emergency response to the residence of Dena Unger and Issac Wolfe, who were not at home at the time of the incident.

The fire destroyed the structure and all its contents. No damage estimates were immediately available from the fire department. The property is owned by Dena Unger and her mother, Ellen Unger of Oldtown.

The victims are being assisted by family members and the American Red Cross.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by City Fire Deputy Chief Boyce Rogers. Preliminary investigation was hampered by the collapse of the roof and second floor. Some of the first floor also fell into the basement.

The fire also damaged siding to an adjacent property at 110 W. Reynolds, Rogers said.

Approximately 35 firefighters responded, including volunteer firefighters from LaVale, Bowling Green and Ridgeley (W.Va.) companies and a city fire department ambulance crew.

Bedford Road, Frostburg and Wiley Ford (W.Va.) volunteer firefighters stood by at the city fire central station along with a city fire engine company and ambulance crew.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.