GRANITE FALLS, NC (July 3, 2018)…A residential structure fire broke out just before 10am on the morning of Tuesday, July 3 on Grace Chapel Road in Granite Falls just below the Market Basket. Passers-by noticed smoke coming from the eaves of the multi-story residence and called 9-1-1. Grace Chapel Fire Department with mutual aid from Granite Falls Fire Department and Sawmills Fire-Rescue responded to the scene. First arriving units confirmed the fire and were able to extinguish it and then complete a primary and secondary search for occupants.
No one was home at the time. Fire damage was confined to two bedrooms on the main living floor with some damage to the basement. Smoke and heat damage was noted throughout the residence.
No injuries to firefighters were reported. Temperatures were already in the mid 80’s when the fire broke out and steadily increased to the low 90’s with even higher heat indexes before firefighters cleared the scene. A total of five fire departments were on the scene to provide more personnel for rotations. Firefighters were monitored and checked out closely by paramedics on the scene to ensure their safety in the heat after each entry into the structure.
Agencies on the scene:
Grace Chapel Fire-Rescue
Granite Fall Fire-Rescue
Sawmills Fire-Rescue
Little River Fire-Rescue
Bethlehem Fire-Rescue
Caldwell County EMS
Caldwell County Emergency Services
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office
NC State Highway Patrol
NC State Bureau of Investigation
This house has caught fire in the past and was even destroyed and then rebuilt.
Investigators with the Caldwell County Fire Marshal’s Office, Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation were on site throughout the day conducting the investigation into the origin and cause. Investigators indicate that the fire has been ruled incendiary in nature and are asking that anyone with information on this incident please contact the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at (828)758-2324 or Caldwell County Crime Stoppers at (828) 758-8300.