PHOTOS: Gaston Fire-Rescue-EMS and the Garysburg Fire Department were dispatched at 7:04 p.m. Monday to a residential structure fire on Lawrenceville Road in Gaston, according to a press release from Chief Ed Porter Jr.
Upon arrival, a wood frame two-story home was found with heavy gray smoke and flames escaping the side of the structure. Firefighters pulled handlines and contained the fire within 10 minutes of arrival. No one was found inside of the structure. Firefighters remained on scene for nearly an hour-and-one-half, conducting fire suppression and overhaul operations. More than 30 firefighters were on the scene during the incident.
The structure sustained heavy fire and smoke damage throughout. The cause of the fire is under investigation and is suspicious in nature, according to the release. Gaston Police Department is leading the investigation with N.C. State Bureau of Investigation being called in to assist.