CORNELIUS, N.C. --
Firefighters spent the night watching for hot spots after a fire destroyed a home near Lake Norman Wednesday afternoon.
The fire began at the Bethel Church Road home just blocks from Lake Norman shortly before 1:30 p.m. A neighbor who was checking his mail saw smoke and called 911.
Cornelius firefighters said flames were already shooting from the roof by the time they arrived. The smoke could be seen for miles. They had to call in Gilead and Denver fire crews to help so that firefighters could take breaks from battling the blaze to rest in the shade.
Despite the number of firefighters at the scene, firefighters said the house fire was a losing battle. The home, which belongs to a retired colonel, was destroyed. Damages total more than $700,000. Fortunately, no one was home at the time and no one was injured.
Fire investigators said they believe the blaze started in the back of the home but they are still trying to determine how it was sparked. They said so far they do not believe the fire is suspicious.
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