Firefighters contain wind-whipped blaze, reached abandoned home in Zebulon

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Thursday, March 12, 2026
Brush fire rekindles overnight in Wake County

ZEBULON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Fire crews in eastern Wake County spent part of Wednesday evening and Thursday morning battling a brush fire that spread to nearby woods and an abandoned home, authorities said.

The Zebulon Fire Department responded to the 2400 block of Rosinburg Road around 5:05 p.m. on Wednesday after the Wake County Sheriff's Office discovered the fire and alerted emergency crews.

When firefighters arrived, they found flames moving through a wooded area and into an empty house on the property. Crews worked to contain the blaze and extinguish hot spots.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The fire rekindled overnight and into Thursday morning, prompting firefighters to return to the scene to continue suppression efforts. Crews remained on site to ensure the fire was fully put out.

Multiple agencies assisted, including the Hopkins, Pilot and Ferrells fire departments, along with the N.C. Forest Service. The Wake County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause.

Fire Chief Perry urged the community to use caution amid ongoing dry conditions, noting that even small sparks can quickly ignite nearby vegetation.

He also reminded residents to use care when grilling or operating outdoor fire pits. Grills should be kept at least 10 feet from homes, decks and other structures, and people should keep water nearby and ensure all fires are completely extinguished. For burn barrels, Perry said the surrounding ground should be soaked and water readily available.

If you see smoke or fire, report it immediately by calling 911.

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