MOUNDSVILLE — Tragedy was averted this morning by first responders as they evacuated a Moundsville family of nine whose home sustained damage when an abandoned structure next door caught fire.

The fire at 1800 First St. in Moundsville was reported to authorities at 3:30 a.m. today. Moundsville Fire Chief Gary Brandon said police and firefighters first on the scene reported heavy fire in the back of the structure, which was believed to have been a former vehicle repair shop. Both police and firefighters pounded on the door of the house north of the burning structure in an effort to alert the residents to get out. Flames were shooting from the burning structure toward the family’s home. Siding on the house was beginning to melt as firefighters battled the flames amid stiff winds.

Cleta Kramer, who lives next door, said she and visiting family members were awakened by the pounding on their door.

“They came in and helped me pull four kids from the bedroom where you can see the siding was melting,” a grateful Kramer said. The children range in age from 4 to 11 years.

Others removed from the home were Kramer’s mother who suffers from dementia and Kramer’s autistic son. While her house remains habitable, the fire caused moderate damage to the siding and a camper parked in her side yard next to the burning building. A large wooden fence surrounding her property was destroyed as a result of the fire.

Jessica Monk, who also was in the house, said the camper contained all the children’s Christmas presents. She was hopeful they can be salvaged.

“I think the presents will smell like smoke if they weren’t burned up,” Monk said.

Both expressed their thanks to the fire crews. They are now concerned with having their home repaired and the fence replaced. Kramer said she worries about her mother and son because both have a tendency to wander off without the fence in place.

Fire units from Moundsville Fire Department, Moundsville volunteers, Washington Lands, Glen Dale, Limestone and Benwood responded to the blaze.

Brandon said a city backhoe was brought to the scene to knock down the back wall of the burning structure to allow firefighters better access to the flames in the rubble. Fire crews remained on the perimeter of the building to fight the flames as there was danger of additional collapse inside. The chief said a wrecking crew was expected on the scene this morning to remove the remaining front wall that poses an immediate danger.

A home on the other side of the burned structure sustained water damage as crews worked to prevent it from catching fire. No one was home in that structure at the time of fire. Fire crews will remain on scene to dig out smouldering debris today, Brandon said.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. Neighbors said the building has been the target of “squatters” and the owner is believed to live out of state.