Oak Island Fire Department responds to house fire
OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — The Oak Island Fire Department responded to a house fire Monday morning.
According to the fire department, initial reports say that two people and one dog were inside the house when it caught fire just before 6:30 a.m. They were able to self-evacuate and call 9-1-1 with no injuries reported.
When crews arrived, they found the house engulfed in flames. which caused further concern for neighboring homes due to 25 mph wind gusts.
The fire department says that the home is considered a total loss, and damage was reported to one of the neighboring homes.
UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): A cause has been determined for the early morning fire which resulted in the total loss of a home at 7506 E Yacht Drive.
An investigation revealed the fire began from spontaneous combustion of rags saturated with oil-based stain. These rags were discarded in an outdoor garbage cart, which was placed directly beside the home.
As the cart fully ignited, the fire traveled up the home’s exterior, where it quickly entered the attic crawlspace and spread through the rest of the home.
No foul play is suspected at this time.
The vehicles belonging to the home’s residents were able to be removed safely, and they were provided further assistance by the the American Red Cross as well as the local non-profit Southport Cares.
