Members of the Benwood Fire Department first arrived on the scene at 4800 Water St. at 5:47 a.m. They saw heavy fire coming out of three sides of the building, and two exposures, explained Jade Jeffers, press information officer for the Benwood Fire Department.

“We initiated an aggressive internal attack,” she said.

Chief Garson Taylor explained crew pulled out of the structure after it started to fall inward.

The Wheeling Fire Department was called to bring its ladder truck, he added. Crews were also called in from Moundsville, McMechen and Mt. Olivet.

The blaze was contained within an hour.

The structure that was destroyed housed two apartments. One occupant was transported by emergency crews with burns, according to Jeffers. Two others were evacuated from the building.

There were concerns that the fire would spread to a nearby home and garage that were to the left of the building that was destroyed, she continued. Those structures did see exposure to the flames.

Taylor said the State Fire Marshal’s Office has been notified and will investigate.

“But I don’t know how they will determine the cause,” he continued. He believes the damage to be too extensive.

Photo by Joselyn King Fire destroyed a structure at 4800 Water St. in Benwood Friday morning. The building housed two apartments. One resident was transported with burns, while two others were evacuated from the home.

Photo by Joselyn King Fire destroyed a structure at 4800 Water St. in Benwood Friday morning. The building housed two apartments. One resident was transported with burns, while two others were evacuated from the home.

Photo by Joselyn King Fire destroyed a structure at 4800 Water St. in Benwood Friday morning. The building housed two apartments. One resident was transported with burns, while two others were evacuated from the home.

Photo by Joselyn King Fire destroyed a structure at 4800 Water St. in Benwood Friday morning. The building housed two apartments. One resident was transported with burns, while two others were evacuated from the home.

Photo by Joselyn King Fire destroyed a structure at 4800 Water St. in Benwood Friday morning. The building housed two apartments. One resident was transported with burns, while two others were evacuated from the home.