A 112 year old home is still standing, but it suffered extensive damage following a house fire Monday morning at the intersection of Church and Railroad Streets in Downtown Four Oaks.
The owner of the house was a police officer who had left a short time earlier and was on duty with the Pine Level Police Department when the fire was reported. A passerby spotted smoke coming from the top of the house and alerted the officer’s wife who was at home with their new born baby. The woman was able to safely escape the fire with her child, two dogs and two cats.
Four Oaks police officers raced to the scene and helped take belongings from the home before they were badly damaged. The old home had just recently been remodeled.
The Four Oaks Fire Department was assisted by the Smithfield and Elevation Fire Departments in containing the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Johnston County Fire Marshal’s Office.
No injuries reported.
Efforts are underway by friends and co-workers of the officer to help the family. We will announce those details once we learn more.
Photos by John Payne
