T-L File Photo The Homestead Event Center in St. Clairsville will host a spaghetti dinner benefit for Jason Duncil, who lost his home to a fire in December.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Community members can help raise funds for a man who lost his house to a fire in December.

Maynard resident Jason Duncil’s house burned on Dec. 27. He came home from hanging out with his son and found his house in flames.

The Barton Volunteer Fire Department and Cumberland Trail Fire District got to work battling the blaze that night while Belmont County sheriff’s deputies assisted with traffic control.

At the time, Barton Fire Chief Kirk Smolenak told The Times Leader the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to the scene and ruled the incident an accidental fire. While the fire was under investigation, officials said the fire was presumed to have started in the bedroom.

Owner Duncil said the house is a complete loss. And although he is safe, Duncil was left with only a few shirts and a pair of pants that were in the laundromat at the time of the fire.

The Homestead Event Center will host a spaghetti dinner benefit for Duncil from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 8. The center is located at 52335 Buena Vista Drive, St. Clairsville.

The spaghetti dinner tickets will cost $10 for adults and $8 for children under 8 years old. The dinner includes spaghetti, bread and butter, and salad. People can also dine in or take out.

There will also be a cash bar, bake sale, 50/50 raffle and an auction featuring items such as a 5-gallon bucket of care items, gift cards for Advance Auto Parts, Longhorn Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse and Walmart and several other gift baskets from businesses including Chick fil A, Cracker Barrel, Panera Bread and Honey Baked Ham. A cooler full of alcohol will also be an item that can be won.

Duncil said he runs a property maintenance company and helps the community in whatever ways he can, so receiving donations back would be greatly appreciated.

People can call Melissa Freeman at 740-391-9491 or Theresa McKeen at 740-576-0176 for more information and to purchase tickets, and tickets will also be available at the door.

“I get kind of still emotional,” Duncil said. “It means a lot.”

Duncil said he’s somebody who does everything for himself and doesn’t like getting help from other people, but this fundraiser will be a big help to him if people can help even just a little bit.

Since the fire, Duncil has been living in a room of a house in Dillonvale that his son rents. His insurance company is working on finding him a new place to live.

“It’s kind of hard to put in words,” he said, “but I’m just greatly appreciative.”

Duncil said he wants to invite everybody to the fundraiser so he can talk with everyone and thank each and every person who attends.