POWELLSVILLE – A family of nine, including six children, survived a fire that totally destroyed their home here early this morning (Saturday).

Members of the Powellsville Volunteer Fire Department were paged out at 4:57 a.m. to respond to 118 Faison Street, the area of a mobile home park located behind Good News Auto Parts. The air temperature at that time was reported at two degrees.

PVFD Chief David Powell said the singlewide mobile home was completely engulfed upon the arrival of the 10 firefighters.

“The structure was fully involved (with fire) when we arrived,” Powell stated. “All we could do at that point was to save the vehicles parked at the residence as well as a barn located on the property.”

The homeowner was Joseph Freeman. Powell said there were two other adults living at the residence along with six children, including two infants.

“I was told that Mr. Freeman and one other adult saved three of the children by pulling them out of the windows of the home, while the others had managed to escape to safety on their own,” Powell stated. “The other adult, a woman, suffered burns to her back and shoulders while getting the children out of the house. She was transported by the rescue squad to the hospital in Ahoskie.

“All they have left are the clothes they had on their back when they went to bed Friday night,” Powell added.

Pending further investigation, the cause of the fire is believed to be electrical in nature.

There were eight vehicles parked at the residence. Powell stated all were saved except one.

“The vehicle that was lost was parked close to the home,” he said. “We also sprayed water on an adjacent home to ensure that would not catch on fire.”

Powell said the American Red Cross has been contacted to assist the family.

The Powellsville firefighters, who used five trucks at the scene, were assisted by the Trap Volunteer Fire Department. Trap supplied two trucks and 10 firefighters.