HAMPSTEAD, N.C. (WECT) - Emergency crews responded to a house fire in Hampstead on Wednesday morning.The fire was at a multistory home on 108 Key Largo Drive, according to a WECT crew at the scene.Surf City Fire Department (SCFC) Chief Allen Wilson said crews from the department, Pender EMS and Fire and Holly Ridge Fire Department responded to the call at about 4 a.m. on Nov. 26. They arrived to find heavy fire in the back, attic and roof of the home.“We made some interior tacks to stop the spread of the fire, but ...
HAMPSTEAD, N.C. (WECT) - Emergency crews responded to a house fire in Hampstead on Wednesday morning.
The fire was at a multistory home on 108 Key Largo Drive, according to a WECT crew at the scene.
Surf City Fire Department (SCFC) Chief Allen Wilson said crews from the department, Pender EMS and Fire and Holly Ridge Fire Department responded to the call at about 4 a.m. on Nov. 26. They arrived to find heavy fire in the back, attic and roof of the home.
“We made some interior tacks to stop the spread of the fire, but we were somewhat unsuccessful with the wind-driven fire coming off the water,” Wilson said. “But we were able to make some headway. We ended up having to go to a defensive operation once the roof started to collapse and the floors started to collapse on the second and third floors. So at that point and time, we had to switch our operations to a defensive posture for the safety of our crews.”
Two residents and a dog were in the home at the time of the fire but were able to evacuate safely, according to a spokesperson for Pender EMS and Fire.
Pender EMS and Fire said the home’s smoke alarms activated, causing the dog to bark and alert the residents to the fire.
Wilson said a house fire of any magnitude is devastating for a family, and to have it happen this time of year is especially hurtful.
“Any time somebody has a fire, it’s a very tragic loss for them and their families. But any time it’s a total loss, and right before a holiday season, it’s definitely much more impactful on that family,” Wilson said.
The fire was contained to one home, and no one was injured, Wilson said. He says that a situation like this still takes a toll on a family.
“Everybody has different plans and different ideas of what the holiday looks like, but most of those plans revolve around the home. And for you to lose your home right before the holidays, I can’t imagine...it’s definitely tragic and definitely takes its toll on those families,” Wilson said.
Crews extinguished the fire after working for several hours.
According to SCFD, the fire rekindled at around 10:46 a.m. on Nov. 27, and crews had it contained within 30 minutes.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.