Media Release - State Fire Marshal presents awards to first responders

 

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – West Virginia State Fire Marshal Ken Tyree today recognized individuals involved in the heroic efforts that saved the life of a young girl in Wood County.

 

Six East Wood volunteer firefighters - Gary Goodwin, Kevin Harris, Keely Pritchett, James Dawson, Kyle Craig, Levi Cross - and Sgt. Della D. Matheny and Deputy Tasha L. Hewitt of the Wood County Sheriff’s Department were recognized during Monday’s Wood County Commission meeting in Parkersburg.

 

On May 5, the East Wood Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire at 72 Spruce St. in Davisville with two adults and one child still inside the home.

The adult male and female lost their lives in this fire, but the 6-year-old is alive today due to the quick actions of these first responders.

 

Secretary Jeff Sandy of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, which includes the State Fire Marshal’s Office, was also present at the event and awarded the honorees with the DMAPS Freedom Pin.

 

A 16-year-old has since been indicted on first-degree arson and murder charges in the May 5 fire. Along with the life saving measures, the East Wood Fire Department also took special steps preserve the scene and potential evidence.  Those actions aided the investigation, which remains ongoing, and the filing of the criminal charges.