Residents picking up the pieces after wildfire

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Families are picking up the pieces after evacuation orders were lifted following a wildfire that threatened homes in the Leland area.

Brunswick County Fire Marshal Scott Garner said the fire started in a wooded area and was not a prescribed burn. Fire crews responded to the area on Highway 74/76 in-between Compass Pointe and Mt. Misery Road. Garner said gusty winds spread the fire to neighborhoods near Leland. Forestry officials say the fire encompassed about 475 acres.

Eight crawler tractors were working in the fire area to establish fire breaks. Three aircraft were also battling the fire, officials said, including a helicopter dropping water on the fire and a scout plane directing efforts of firefighters.

Investigators still aren’t sure how the fire started. Garner said the Brunswick County Fire Department had no prior knowledge about a controlled burn and that weather played a big role in what happened.

“There could be numerous causes and like I say, we just got to find out,” Garner said. “There are train tracks through the area, there is people’s land, and it could be anything so right now it would speculations to say anything with the cause.”

The fire was so bad in some parts, that it melted the siding off of Sean Durno’s home. Durno said as the fire inched closer, he got his family to safety.

“I basically grabbed my boy and my wife and the pets and animals.” Durno said. I saved what was most important.” Several homes including Durno’s were damaged but none were destroyed.

Fire Marshal Scott Garner said evacuations were ordered at Heirloom Drive, Butler Drive and the Barrington neighborhood, but shortly after 6:00 p.m., the evacuations were lifted. North Brunswick High School was opened for evacuees.

Anna Larocca was one of the evacuees.

“I’m safe yes and i’m very thankful for that,” Larocca said. “It’s the best thing I could imagine …
Lucky, lucky the house is still sitting here. I really am, thank God.”

Most residents have been able to return back home. The Red Cross is assisting those who suffered damages to their home and providing them with shelter and food as needed.

Photo courtesy: Lonnie Weaver