By Miles Layton
GATESVILLE — A family of six was left without a home Tuesday after a structure fire on LT Farm Drive drew 18 units from multiple agencies across Gates County.
The Perquimans-Gates 911 Communications Center received the call at 1:43 p.m. April 15, dispatching units from Gates Volunteer Fire Department, Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department, Eure Volunteer Fire Department, Gates County Rescue and EMS, the Gates County Sheriff’s Office and the Gates County Fire Marshal’s Office. Photos come from Gatesville VFD.
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Gates County Emergency Management Director/Fire Marshal William Tutwiler said arriving crews found a single-story residence fully involved. A partial roof collapse forced firefighters to abandon an interior attack and shift to a defensive operation, with crews stretching handlines and deploying a deck gun to knock down the heaviest flames. Eure VFD contributed additional tankers and manpower to support operations.
The home was occupied by four adults and two children, none of whom were injured.
The American Red Cross Disaster Response team responded to the scene and is assisting the family with immediate recovery needs.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Gates County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The community has already begun rallying around the displaced family. Donations of clothing are being accepted at the local Farm Bureau office. Sizes have been confirmed for the family’s two youngest children — a boy in size 5T and a girl in size 3T. Sizes for the adults in the home are still being gathered and will be shared when available.
Donations may be dropped off inside the Farm Bureau office during regular business hours or left on the back porch after hours.
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