Firefighters battle a house fire on Guernsey Street in Bellaire on Friday. (T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA)

BELLAIRE – Multiple Fire Departments arrived at a home located at 3077 Guernsey Street in Bellaire around 11 a.m. on Friday to combat a large house fire.

Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department, OR & W Fire District, Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department, Cumberland Trail Fire District, Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department,

Smith Township Volunteer Fire Department, Neffs Volunteer Fire Department, Colerain Volunteer Fire Department, Moundsville City Fire Department, Benwood Volunteer Fire Department, Bellaire Police Department and the Salvation Army Canteen were on the scene to battle the flames in the harsh cold.

Bellaire Fire Chief Tim Bell said when he arrived on the scene, the house had heavy smoke coming from its room.

“When we got there, we had heavy smoke coming out of the eaves of the roof. And then the fire did end up making its way through the roof,” Bell said.

He added that his crew initially had troubles getting the hydrants working properly because of the cold weather. He then called the Belmont County Tanker Task Force to assist with supplying additional water.

“We had multiple water breaks in town and our water department crews have been exhausted but they’re doing a great job,” Bell said. It’s just with the cold weather, pipes don’t always work.”

Bell said that two Bellaire firefighters were injured during the fire. One had an elevated heart rate and was taken to Wheeling Hospital and one had a portion of the rear roof collapse on him leaving him stuck under the debris until his crew was able to remove the debris.

“The one with the elevated heart was transported to the hospital and is already discharged. And the one with the roof collapse, is fine, he’s just bumped and bruised a little bit,” Bell said. “The house was a total loss and the house next door to it just suffered a little bit of water damage.”

He added that no residents were injured during the fire but one pet cat died.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.