Fire consumed what was believed to be an abandoned house at 103 Love Street Friday night.

Roanoke Rapids Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Gray said this afternoon that there was no power at the house and the electrical meter had been pulled some time ago. Firefighters could not determine a point of origin.

Assistant Chief of Operations Bryan Hollowell said firefighters responded to the structure fire call around 7:45 p.m. Friday and found the house engulfed. Firefighters immediately initiated suppression and search operations.

Crews entered the residence to attack the fire and conduct a search, but they encountered hazardous structural conditions, including a collapsed floor and a sagging roof. Due to the significant risk of further collapse, firefighters withdrew from the structure and transitioned to exterior operations.

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A second alarm was requested to provide additional personnel and resources. Crews brought the main body of the fire under control but remained on scene for hours as heavy debris concealed numerous smoldering hotspots. Firefighters conducted extensive overhaul operations and used foam to extinguish the remaining fire.

Neighbors advised that the residence had been vacant for an extended period. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

The Roanoke Rapids Fire Department was assisted by Roanoke Valley Station 4, Halifax County EMS Station 6, the EMS Rehab Trailer, and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department. “We appreciate the assistance and teamwork of all responding agencies,” Hollowell said.