A fire in an electric baby swing spread throughout a house at 1810 E. Seventh St. on Friday, a Parkersburg fire official said.
The fire forced responders to shut down Seventh Street for several blocks while crews extinguished the blaze, said Capt. Brian Drake with the Parkersburg Fire Department.
Tenants Donald Harding and his three children were in the home when the fire started, Drake said.
“The father said he had smelled smoke and when he went downstairs saw the swing on fire,” Drake said.
Drake said that Harding told firefighters he quickly got all three of his children out of the home before running back in to try to put out the flames.
According to Drake, Harding was taken to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center for burns and smoke inhalation, and his children were taken there as well as a precaution. Information on Harding’s condition was unavailable Friday night.
The fire occurred shortly after noon Friday. Police closed the 1800, 1700 and 1600 blocks of Seventh Street as firefighters worked to douse hot spots and remove debris from the home.