A normal Tuesday afternoon for several fire departments kicked into high gear when they were dispatched to two structure fires just a few miles apart within minutes of each other.
Southern Pines Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire in the 500 block of Clark Street just before 6 p.m. due to smoke in a residence caused by issues with the HVAC system.
While still on scene at that location, Southern Pines, along with multiple other departments, were dispatched to a second structure fire in the 2000 block of Youngs Road.
A neighbor spotted a structure on fire next to a residence. Fire command at Clark Street requested a second alarm be dispatched for the Youngs Road location due to needing additional tankers and manpower.
Responding units could see a heavy column of smoke from over a mile away. The first unit on scene advised the structure was fully involved.
A cottage on Youngs Road in Southern Pines was destroyed by fire on June 7.
The fire was knocked down within minutes, but the two-story cottage with a garage was a total loss. Firefighters were on scene for an extended period of time checking hot spots.
There were no occupants at the time and no animals found inside.
Due to the distance down a long narrow driveway, water tanks were set up on the road, and tankers shuttled water from a pond about a 1/4 mile away.
The fire marshal was on scene and is investigating the cause of the fire.
About a half-mile of Youngs Road was shut down for an extended period of time while crews battled the blaze.
Duke Energy removed power from the structure.
Responding to the fire on Youngs Road were Aberdeen Fire Department, Southern Pines Fire Department, Whispering Pines Fire Department, Cypress Pointe Fire Department, Pinehurst Department, Carthage Fire Department, Crains Creek Fire Department, Fort Bragg Fire Department, Moore County Public Safety, Moore County Sheriff’s Office and Moore County EMS.
Feature photo: Fire crews respond to a cottage fire in Southern Pines on June 7.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Daniel Gwyn.
