T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART A house on North Fifth Street in Martins Ferry stands charred following a fire Monday that left the home a total loss.

MARTINS FERRY — Nobody was injured in a house fire that happened in Martins Ferry on Monday, but the residents are asking for the public’s assistance as they recover.

The fire happened at approximately 10:15 a.m. at 616 N. Fifth St. First responders were on scene already at 10:15 a.m. because city workers and Martins Ferry honorary fire department members noticed the fire and had a truck en route before the call was dispatched to the rest of the fire department, Chief II Justin Smith said.

Colerain Volunteer Fire Department and Bridgeport Fire Department assisted the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department in battling the blaze.

Smith said he sent the mutual aid providers home at around 1 p.m., so the firefighters cleared the fire in about two and a half hours. Martins Ferry VFD remained on scene afterward because it called in the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate. The fire marshal’s representative did not determine the cause of the fire, but Smith said no further investigation will be conducted.

The front portion of the house from top to bottom was fully engulfed in flames on firefighters’ arrival. The blaze caused extensive fire damage on the first and second floors of the front side of the house, making it a total loss. There was heat damage that spread south of the house, but nothing major, Smith said.

Only one person was in the house at the time of the fire, but that individual exited the house as the fire department arrived. He had no injuries, but the fire department transported him to East Ohio Regional Hospital as a precaution.

The Kimbro family who occupied the home is seeking assistance in the wake of the fire. Donations of clothing or money can be dropped to the Martins Ferry High School secretary, as a family member is part of the marching band. Sizes needed include women’s shoes size 6 or 6 1/2 or 7 or 7 1/2 and men’s size 7. Women’s medium tops, leggings and sweats are wanted, as well as size 6 jeans. Small bottoms and medium tops are also needed. Men’s small shirts and small sweats can also be donated.