Belmont Co. house fire under investigation

MARTINS FERRY, Ohio --

A fire at a Belmont County home early Thursday is under investigation.

No one was hurt in the blaze at 813 Virginia St. in Martins Ferry.

The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. Four engines and a few emergency squad were able to contain the flames to the basement and kitchen areas in about 10 minutes.

"We had a pretty quick knockdown," said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Reese.

Thursday afternoon, officials from the state fire marshal's office and the Martins Ferry Fire Department were investigating to determine how the blaze started.

When crews entered the home, rescue said they found thick, heavy smoke out of an upstairs window. In addition, crews found there was heavy fire in the kitchen area on the back side of the house.

The owner, who was not home at the time, rushed back to meet the fire department and safely remove a dog.

"He showed up right after we got here, and he was able to get the back door and get his dog out," Reese said.

There is still no definite word on what caused the fire, but officials said the house could have been in much worse condition afterward.

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