Morning house fire closes New Center Drive

WILMINGTON — A house fire closed New Centre Drive in Wilmington for a couple of hours Wednesday morning.

Wilmington Police saw the fire at four a.m. during a routine patrol. Police say the homeowner was the only person home, and came out unharmed.

The fire was contained shortly after five a.m., but firefighters say the home is a complete loss.

Homeowner Mack Watts says he’s thankful to be alive, but devastated to have lost his home. “You feel terrible anyway you look at,” Watts said. “I mean, good gosh, you don’t start over at my age and with no insurance you just don’t start over that easily.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.