Update December 9, 11:37 a.m.
Greenbrier County Sheriff Bruce Sloan issued a statement explaining what the investigation into the fire has uncovered, including the confirmation of five deaths.
The full statement reads:
On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at approximately 3:30 p.m., members of the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police responded to a residential house fire on Flynn’s Creek Road near Williamsburg, WV.
Fire Departments from Clintonville, Frankford, Williamsburg, Lewisburg, Ronceverte, Tri-County, Smoot, Rainelle and Fairlearesponded to the fire scene, as well as Fairlea Ambulance Service.
Investigators from the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office arrived on scene to conduct their investigation into the origin of the fire, which totally destroyed the home.
Four victims who suffered fatal injuries were located and removed from within the residence, and another fatal victim was located outside of the home. Crews on the scene continue to search for a possible sixth victim from within the interior of the structure. All of the victims will be transported to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s office for examination.
Investigators have developed a timeline and sequence of events leading up to the deaths. The investigation is continuing as evidence at the scene is being examined and processed. Specific details of the investigation, including the manner and cause of death, will not be released pending confirmation by the State Medical Examiner.
Corporal S. W. Hudnall, of the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office, is the lead investigator.
Sheriff Sloan
Original December 8 story
By Lyra Bordelon
Emergency responders in Greenbrier Valley are responding to a second fire near Williamsburg on Tuesday, December 8.
Coming on the heels of a fatal fire near Asbury, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department and local fire departments have responded to the scene.
The fire emerged at a residence before 3:30 p.m. on Flynn Creek Road near Williamsburg.
See the Mountain Messenger for more on this story as it develops.
