Discarded fireworks blamed for Leland house fire that destroyed home

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Investigators say discarded Fourth of July fireworks caused a late-night house fire that destroyed a home in Leland.

The fire happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday on Esthwaite Drive in the Hawkeswater neighborhood.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy flames in the attic and second floor of the home.

The house was destroyed. Two neighboring homes also sustained minor damage to their exterior walls from the fire.

According to investigators, the fire started after used fireworks were thrown into an outdoor trash can.

Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours and cleared the incident around 3 a.m.