Bridgeport Fire Department Chief Phil Hart said a Saturday evening fire in Bridgeport is still being treated as suspicious after an official from the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s office visited the site Monday afternoon.

 

The fire took place at 8:43 p.m. at 216 Davisson Street, which is located just off Philadelphia Avenue. After Bridgeport crews arrived at the scene, they found a home with fire visible on the first and second floors with smoke showing.

 

The crews were able to keep the fire contained to the one structure in the heavy residential area. The home was unoccupied, said Hart.

 

Firefighters spent more than two and a half hours fighting the blaze. Bridgeport received assistance from Shinnston, Anmoore and Nutter Fort Fire Departments.

 

Hart said Assistant Fire Marshall Paul Alloway was on the scene. Also assisting on the scene as Bridgeport Sgt. Detective Mark Rogers.

 

“Samples were taken and are being sent to the state police laboratory,” said Hart. “Debris was gathered from different areas for testing.”

 

Hart said at this point what the laboratory determines will determine the next step. He said if the cause of the blaze is ruled arson then there will be a criminal investigation. If not arson, then standard procedures will take place involving the repair, replacement or removal of the structure.

 

The home suffered extensive damage, said Hart.

 

Alloway also inspected a second structure fire that occurred just hours later in Bridgeport and resulted in the structure, Hart said, being a total loss. That fire took place at 2:52 a.m. Sunday on 46 Garden Circle and saw two occupants get out of the home. Two family dogs, however, did not escape the blaze.

 

The same departments assisted on this blaze as well, said Hart. Hart said the investigation into this particular fire is ongoing but doesn’t appear suspicious at this point.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo show Bridgeport Sgt. Detective Mark Rogers, right, talking with Assistant State Fire Marshall Paul Alloway. Bottom photo is of Bridgeport Fire staff outside of Sunday morning's fire at Garden Circle.