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On Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, Roanoke Island firefighters rolled out of bed to fight a house fire at 74 The Lane, Wanchese.

A neighbor going by the house saw flames and leaned on the horn to arouse folks in the brick house. The call went to 9-1-1 and Bill Brown and two young adults and a visitor left the house, said Dare County Fire Marshal Steve Kovacs.

Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department firefighters received the 9-1-1 call at 5:29 a.m. When the firefighters arrived, a portion of the brick house was involved in flames. The fire destroyed a decoy shed and made the garage, kitchen, living room and dining room “completely unrecognizable.” The fire spread to the attic.

Roanoke Island put out a call for additional help which arrived from Manns Harbor, Nags Head and Colington fire departments. Kill Devil Hills responded and was assigned to stand by at Roanoke Island’s north station to answer other possible calls for help from Roanoke Island.

After three hours of fighting the fire, Roanoke Island firefighters left the scene for stations to clean up equipment and then head home or to work.

Kovacs reports no one was injured in this accidental fire.

Roanoke Island firefighters extended their appreciation to responding fire units, the Dare County Emergency Medical Services team and Dare County Sheriff’s deputies.

Wanchese neighbors and friends of the family have stepped up to help the Brown family.

A barbecue fundraiser is set for Saturday, Jan. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Manteo First Assembly Church at 812 Wingina Ave., in Manteo. For $15, a plate will be loaded with a pulled pork barbecue sandwich, baked beans, coleslaw, chips and cookies. Drive-through pickup; cash or check only. Call Glenn Paul for more information at 252-305-6881.

Donations can be made to the “Brown Family Fire Relief Fund” at Southern Bank in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills or Manteo. Etheridge Seafood and Wanchese Marina are also accepting donations.

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