Victim recovering from house explosion in Monongah on Labor Day
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MONONGAH - Authorities on Tuesday were still sifting through the remains of a house on Wine Drive here that exploded during the evening of Labor Day.
What was left - wasn't much.
Neighbors reported hearing an explosion around 10 p.m. - and then seeing smoke and fire in the direction of the residence, which was located at Wine Drive on the 3500 block of Freedom Highway.
Stephen Overstreet, who was living there, suffered burns to his arms and legs and was flown by medical helicopter to a burn center in Pittsburgh, where he remains hospitalized.
A Monongah volunteer fire crew had the flames extinguished an hour after the blast, using its newly implemented drone program to spy any rekindled "hot spots" from the air in the aftermath.
The house was engulfed and partially collapsed when firefighters arrived.
Other volunteer fire crews from Valley, Worthington, Farmington, Shinnston, Spelter and Boothsville scrambled to the scene after the initial call.
Additional support was provided by the Marion County Sheriff's Department and West Virginia State Police.
Meanwhile, the West Virginia state fire marshal was also at the address Tuesday afternoon.
Family members said Overstreet suffered burns over 30% of his body and is expected to remain hospitalized for the next several months.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to support him in his recovery.
Visit the site and type "Support Stephen After House Explosion" in the search field for details.