A local family has lost their home and belongings following an early morning fire Jan. 25.

The Cross family lost their home on Dutch Run Road last Wednesday in a fire that began around 1 a.m. The Paden City Volunteer Fire Company responded at 1:20 a.m. along with the New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department and the Wetzel County Emergency Medical Services. Paden City Fire Chief Jim Richmond said firefighters had the fire under control within 45 minutes, however they remained on the scene until 9:39 a.m. the next morning.

One of the family’s sons, Cameron, woke up upon feeling heat on his face to find the wall adjacent to him was engulfed in flames. Fortunately, he was able to wake the others. Parents Marky and Anglia; brothers Brandon, Ryan, and Ethan; and even the family’s two-year-old boxer made it outside of the burning home safely.

Chief Richmond said the cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.

An account has been set up in the family’s name and monetary donations can be made at any Wesbanco location.

A spaghetti dinner to benefit the Cross family will be held Feb. 5 from noon to 4 p.m., in the Paden City High School multipurpose room. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under. Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert, and drink. There will also be raffles.

Anglia Cross said she can’t thank the community and the schools enough for their generosity and support. She noted that before the fire was extinguished community members were calling to offer help. “Within hours they were giving us money, clothes, and food,” Anglia said. Regarding how supportive the schools have been, Anglia commented, “My kids wanted to go back the day-of, and that just doesn’t happen.”

Many have offered to collect donations of new or gently worn clothing. Please make sure clothing has been laundered and is in “ready to wear” condition, as the family has little access to laundry facilities. Drop off such items to Lisa Bidwell in Medical Records of Sistersville General Hospital; at Paden City High School, 201 North Fourth Avenue; or ACE Hardware in New Martinsville.

Sizes needed for each family member are as follows:

Anglia: adult medium shirts, size 10 pants, and size 6 shoes;

Marky: adult XXL shirts, 38-inch wide by 32-inch long pants, and size 13 shoes;

Brandon: adult medium shirts, 32-inch wide by 32-inch long pants, and size 14 shoes;

Cameron: adult small shirts, size 16 pants, and size 7 shoes;

Ryan: adult small shirts, size 12 husky pants, and size 6 shoes;

Ethan: children’s large shirts, size 12 pants, and size 5 shoes.