Published: November 11, 2008 11:49 pm      

Fire destroys Lonaconing duplex

65 volunteers turn out to fight accidental electrical blaze that disrupted school buses and other morning traffic

fLONACONING — An accidental fire destroyed a vacant duplex in the heart of town Tuesday, disrupting traffic, including morning bus service for students of Georges Creek Elementary School.

The 7:11 a.m. incident at 16-18 E. Main St., located across the street from the post office, brought dozens of firefighters from various volunteer fire companies to the scene for several hours.

The electrical fire originated in the basement ceiling and was accidental, according to Deputy State Fire Marshals Jamie Rodeheaver and Mike Mattingly.

First-arriving firefighters found “heavy smoke and heavy fire to the exterior with fire feeding up the walls to the attic,” according to Deputy Chief Gary Holshey of the Good Will Volunteer Fire Company.

The building, owned by Marty and Kathy Miller, was declared a total loss estimated at $100,000 to the structure and $30,000 to its contents. The building was reportedly being used for storage.

Approximately 65 volunteer firefighters from Lonaconing, Barton, Shaft, Midland, Westernport, Piedmont, Keyser, Bloomington, McCoole, Shaft, Mount Savage and Clarysville responded along with Georges Creek Ambulance.

Freezing temperatures during the firefighting operation prompted Lonaconing town crews and State Highway Administration to treat the slippery conditions.

Units began clearing the scene late Tuesday morning.