Roanoke Rapids Fire Department Chief Jason Patrick said he expects a house that sustained fire damage Tuesday afternoon in the 200 block of Monroe Street should be repairable.

The fire department received the call around 2:15 and firefighters found fire coming from the front of a two-story house.

Initial reports indicated that everyone was outside the home.  

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was located in the front porch area and had extended into the second-floor bedrooms.  

The remainder of the home sustained some smoke damage. “The initial quick response by on-duty firefighters which consisted of seven B-shift personnel was instrumental in containing the flames and stopping the spread throughout the rest of the home,” Patrick said.

The American Red Cross was called in to assist the family.   

Fire crews remained on scene for roughly two-and-a-half hours, conducting overhaul operations.  

The fire appeared to have started in the front porch area of the home and spread to the upstairs bedroom. At this time the cause of the fire is undetermined and is not suspicious.  

Along with the 10 on-duty Roanoke Rapids Fire Department personnel, eight off-duty firefighters were called in to assist with the fire.  

Also assisting the fire department were Halifax County EMS, Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad, public works, and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.