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Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Capt. Matt Baer released a statement late Friday afternoon regarding the structure fire early the same morning in Buxton:

“This morning, a fire took place at a commercial residential complex in Buxton, North Carolina where several active duty Coast Guard members live.

“With great sadness, I have confirmed that the family of one of our active duty members is currently unaccounted for. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers while we investigate this incident with local authorities.”

Dare County Emergency Management reported Friday morning that four individuals were reported unaccounted for after the large structure fire broke out at 46110 Cape Hatteras Lane in Buxton.

Volunteer fire departments from Buxton, Hatteras and Frisco responded shortly after 4 a.m. when a caller reported that flames were visible at the structure. Dare County Sheriff’s deputies and Dare County EMS were also dispatched to the scene.

A second alarm went out for units from Avon fire department and Hatteras Island Rescue Squad. In accordance with protocol, the primary or first responding units were re-paged.

Dare EMS transported two individuals to The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head for initial stabilization.

Dare EMS sent a total of four ambulances to the scene and shifted an ambulance crew to Rodanthe to cover Hatteras Island. In addition to the ambulance crews, the shift supervisor, operations captain, deputy EMS chief and EMS Chief Jennie Collins responded to the scene.

Fire crews remained actively engaged at the fire scene into the afternoon.

“The Coast Guard is a small organization. This tragic incident impacts not only this family, crew and station, but various members, families and units throughout the Coast Guard,” continued the statement from Baer. “In addition to the individuals currently unaccounted for, three other Coast Guard members and their families were displaced by the fire. They are currently in a safe shelter location.

“Members trained in critical incident stress management are currently enroute to support those impacted by this tragedy. We are also working with the Coast Guard Foundation and other organizations to further support our members and families during this difficult time.”

The Dare County Fire Marshal, State Bureau of Investigation and Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.

UPDATE:

Buxton fire claimed lives of four, county confirms

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

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Four people unaccounted for after early morning structure fire in Buxton