GRAHAM, N.C. — A house was completely destroyed by a fire started by a space heater on Monday, Dec. 18 at 8:51 a.m., according to the Graham Fire Department.
The fire occurred on the 400 block of Mill Street and a neighbor called to report the fire, firefighters said.
"She said that the fire was so hot around the backside of the house that she came around the front and knocked on the door. She even busted out the bedroom window to try to make sure that no one was home or the two dogs were not home," explained City of Graham Fire Inspector, Beau Russell.
Tammy Jones and Jennifer Ufret were the neighbors who called 911. They said they saw smoke early Monday morning.
Jones explained, "That morning I got up to let my puppy out to go to the restroom, and my daughter, I asked her to get him back in, and she said Mama Mike’s house has smoke rolling out of the top of it. She took off running up there and busted the windows open, trying to get in to get his dogs out because we knew he was gone and we were trying to save his dogs and get them out.”
Fire crews responded quickly after.
The fire was brought under control within 39 minutes and units cleared the scene around 11 a.m., according to firefighters.
Luckily, no one was in the home and no one was injured.
However, the home is considered a total loss.
"I felt really bad talking to the homeowner. Nobody was hurt thank the good Lord, he and his dogs were away and it sounds like he has kids. Christmas time; It’s really sad," Russell said.
Firefighters said a space heater connected to a power strip could have caused the blaze.
Firefighters urged citizens to only use power strips for low-voltage electronics and overloading power strips can be a severe fire hazard.
One bedroom was spared from the blaze. Firefighters said this is due to the door being closed as a protective measure.
Graham house fire
Now, neighbors are left trying to figure out how to help the homeowner who lost everything.
"It’s devastating; it’s heartbreaking. I almost wanted to cry yesterday, I was coming home from work and noticed that his house was destroyed and my first thought was, 'was anybody hurt?' I mean it is just heartbreaking around this time. He had already bought gifts for his children and those were destroyed. He lost everything it was just heartbreaking," said neighbor, Lanette Ventur.
Neighbors said they are collecting items for their fellow friend in his time of need. Jones told WFMY News 2 that the homeowner is a nice person who always helps everyone else when they need it.
"He’s the most wonderful neighbor. He is a nice guy if you ask him for a favor, he’s the person, Mike it," Jones said.
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