Crews respond to fires in Jefferson, Brooke counties Tuesday afternoon



Emergency crews on both sides of the Ohio River responded to fires in two separate counties.

In Jefferson County, an Irondale home caught fire around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at a home on County Road 68. Crews from multiple fire departments assisted Irondale crews and spent several hours battling the flames and said snow made it more difficult.

"It was a hindrance getting back here. We're about 1,000 feet from the main road. … The weather from yesterday has been a mess for us all day," Irondale Fire Department Assistant Chief Dan Dingess said.

The fire started in the basement and crews said damage to the home was extensive. There were no reported injuries, but the family did lose a pet. The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of 5 p.m.

Around the same time in Brooke County, a fire broke out at the Tunnel Ridge Mining Co.

Several fire departments responded and the fire was put out quickly, emergency officials said.

Wheeling-Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo said a belt that transports coal up and down overheated and caught fire. Vargo said the belts run constantly.

No coal was damaged and there were no reported injuries.

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