Crews battle large Knightdale house fire
KNIGHTDALE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Knightdale family is without a place to stay after flames ripped through their home Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters responded to the blaze in the 1100 block of Delham Road around 3 p.m.
Homeowner Alicia Nourie told ABC11 her family was in the living room when her husband noticed the back deck was burning.
"He grabbed the fire extinguisher, and he said 'Get everybody out of the house! It's on fire,'" said Nourie.
Neighbors gathered in the street and called 911.
Two adults, four children, and two dogs were able to escape before a propane tank exploded.
"The flames just went everywhere," said Nourie.
Firefighters who rushed to the scene said they could see the smoke for miles.
The heat was so intense, it melted siding on houses next door.
Crews worked frantically to keep the fire from spreading.
Some were treated by EMS workers as a precaution.
"It looks like [the fire] started on the outside, worked its way up on the inside, and also up the side and into the roof area, and so it moved fast and really got a good jump on us," said Knightdale Fire Chief Tim Guffey.
There is no official cause of the fire, but the homeowner told ABC11 he was "spring cleaning" and trying to remove a "Power Wheels" car that was wedged underneath the deck.
He said he used a lighter to try to melt the plastic.
The house appears to be a total loss.
A fundraiser for the family is planned for Saturday, July 25 from 12 - 9 p.m. at the Flying Froyo at 2930 Forestville Road in Raleigh. Fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Nourie family.
Monetary donations can also be sent to Pastor Klaus Meyer with Love Christian Assembly at 803 Howdenshire Run, Knightdale, NC 27545.
