PARSONS – A Tucker County woman’s home was deemed a total loss and she was transported by Health Net to Pittsburgh for treatment after an explosion at her residence on Friday.

Tucker County emergency personnel responded to a 911 call for a structure fire at 8839 Holly Meadows Road in the St. George area or Parsons on Friday. Tucker County Office of Emergency Management Director Kevin White, who also serves as Parsons Volunteer Fire Department Chief, was the first to arrive at the scene and said he could tell right away that there had been some type of explosion.

“It was fully engulfed and the structure was laying on the ground when I got there,” White said. “When we got out of the vehicle we could see debris from the house spread all around the area, which indicated there was some type of the explosion. Fortunately there was a fire hydrant close by and that there was adequate room between the fire and the other structures around it. That helped keep it from spreading.”

White said that the exact cause of the explosion has not been determined and is being investigated by the Office of the West Virginia State Fire Marshal. White did say, however, that the home’s occupant, who was identified as Dianna Wyatt, was inside at the time of the fire.

“I was told by people at the scene that two of her neighbors were able to run through the door and get her out,” White said. “She was very fortunate that they were there.”

Assisting the Parsons Volunteer Fire Department at the scene was the Thomas Volunteer Fire Department, Leading Creek Volunteer Fire Department, and Tucker County Sheriff’s Department.