Wrightsville Beach fire leaves many homeless

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH — A fire at a Wrightsville Beach apartment house has left a number of people homeless.

Investigators say a pot of cigarette butts ignited on the third floor deck. The fire quickly spread to the vinyl siding of the house.

The front side of the building sustained the majority of the damage. Residents at home during when the fire started say it was a scary experience.

Amber Miller lives in the apartments. She said, “You could hear the sirens in the distance immediately and just everybody running through, calling everybody just wanting to know, have you seen, who have you seen, are they here.”

New Hanover County Department of Fire Services says residents are not allowed back in the building. They estimate damage costs between $65,000 and $75.

There were no injuries.