UPDATED: GRANTSVILLE WOMAN BARELY ESCAPES BURNING HOUSE - Rescued From Dwelling, Wigner St. House Total Loss

(03/05/2011)

An early Saturday morning fire destroyed a two-story house on Wigner Street in Grantsville, with the resident barely escaping the flames.

The fire scene is being investigated by the WV Fire Marshal's office.

Nina Duncan Parsons, about 36, screamed for help shortly after 4 a.m., her house was engulfed in flames.

Her brother-in-law, Jimmy Parsons, who leaves nearby, heard her screams and went inside the dwelling and dragged her outside.

He described her as being "incoherent," indicating she suffers from a seizure disorder. A short time later she was taken to Minnie Hamilton Health System by Calhoun EMS.

Grantsville Police Chief Jeff Starcher said the fire scene had been secured, being treated as "suspicious until otherwise determined by the fire marshal."

The Grantsville Police Department had received an earlier call from the residence related to another matter, prior to the fire being reported.

For a period of time, a Grantsville man, Michael Duncan, a brother to Nina Parsons, was believed to be in the dwelling, but was later located.

The Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department quickly brought the fire under control following the 911 call at 4:19 a.m.

The Upper West Fork VFD responded to a mutual assistance call. Arnoldsburg VFD members were engaged in mandatory training out-of-county.

The house was located at the end of Wigner Street, behind the old Grantsville Grade School.