HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – A Huntersville man credited his smoke detector for saving his life after a fire badly damaged his home late Wednesday night.
Fire officials said the blaze started just before 11:30 at the home on Poplar Tent Road. Crews from Huntersville Fire, Cornelius Fire and Odell Fire Station responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the flames.
The homeowner spoke exclusively with NBC Charlotte and gave our cameras an inside look at the damage caused by the fire.
“I heard the fire alarm, actually the smoke detector, and when I opened up the door it was so hot and there was so much smoke coming up because I’m upstairs. All that smoke and heat was rushing into my room,” he said.
Investigators haven’t determined the cause of the fire yet, but the homeowner said he thinks a fallen branch ignited the blaze.
“It appears that a limb fell off the tree behind the house and hit a power line,” he said. “After that, it kind of landed on the deck and starting sparking and caused the fire out there on the deck.”
The fire quickly spread to the kitchen and attic and caused severe damage throughout the interior. The Red Cross is assisting the victim while the home is inspected and officials determine whether it can be repaired or is a total loss.