Martins Ferry Fire Chief I Justin Smith confirmed that one person has died from the fire on Pearl Street. The family has been notified and members of the family were on scene. Smith was not releasing any other information as of Wednesday afternoon.

11 a.m. update

The Pearl Street home destroyed in a fire Wednesday morning was occupied, according to Martins Ferry Fire Chief I Justin Smith. An investigation into the fire continues to gather more information, but a coroner’s vehicle was on the scene.

Smith said his department received a call at 6 a.m. Wednesday from a Pearl Street residents saying the house across the street had suffered an explosion and was on fire. Because multiple houses were involved, the Bridgeport and Colerain fire departments were called in to assist.

The people who occupied the homes on either side of the destroyed residence were able to get out safely, Smith said. The Ohio State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate.

Original story

A Wednesday morning fire on Pearl Street in Martins Ferry destroyed one residence and severely damaged others.

Crews from the Martins Ferry, Bridgeport and Colerain fire departments continued to hose down hot spots and pull down debris with heavy machinery Wednesday morning. There is no information yet as to whether the building was occupied.

The homes on either side of the destroyed building were severely damaged and the vinyl siding of the home across the street was melted, as was part of the back bumper of a parked car.

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