The Roanoke Rapids Fire Department has turned the investigation of a house fire at 109 Monroe Street Tuesday morning over to the police department.

Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Hollowell said the fire has been deemed suspicious because power was not connected to the structure. The house is believed to be a total loss.

Firefighters received the call around 5:30 a.m. and responded with 15 members, consisting of eight on-duty and seven off-duty personnel. Firefighters spent 2 ½ hours at the scene.

When firefighters arrived, a neighboring house at 107 Monroe Street had also caught fire. That fire was quickly extinguished and the damage should be repairable, Hollowell said.

No injuries were reported from either fire.

Halifax County EMS provided firefighter rehabilitation services and the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad assisted with the water supply operation. “Their support was instrumental in the successful management of this incident,” Hollowell said.