November 7th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

West Virginia Metro News reports that no one was injured following an accidental fire that destroyed the Petersburg High School Football Field House Wednesday afternoon. Assistant Head Coach Denver Riggleman said members of the team were in the field house after school when a case of paint can tipped over knocking off the tip of a stray paint can and the gas furnace ignited and lit the fumes,

“There was a big explosion and we had our trainer and two kids who had to basically run through the flames to get out,” Riggleman said.

They tried to extinguish the fire but the paint cans were exploding.

Riggleman said the roof and rafters of the building were destroyed along with much damage of the team’s equipment. Other schools have stepped forward to provide equipment for this week’s final regular season game.

Riggleman said the response from the community has been incredible. He said Keyser head Coach Sean Biser and staff supplied the team with helmets, pads and other equipment and Moorefield head coach Matt Altabello offered the use of the field so the team could play their last game and have their senior night.

Grant County School Superintendent Doug Lambert said Thursday on MetroNews “Talkline” the Friday night game against East Hardy will be played at Moorefield High School.