UPDATE: WFD still searching for cause after morning house fire

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Crews with the Wilmington Fire Department are still searching for the cause of a fire that broke out at a home while residents were inside earlier this morning.

Firefighters say the blaze started at a home in the 700 block of South 8th Street at around 8:30 a.m., where flames and smoke were showing from the house. Battalion Chief David Hines says the residents who were home at the time were able to get out safely.

Hines says not only did the home suffer extensive damage, but the neighboring house also sustained some external damage, too. The American Red Cross is on-scene helping the family as investigators work to find what sparked the flames.