GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Alfred Hunter called 911 as his home off Dallas Cherryville Road in Gaston County was engulfed in flames.
The smoke could be seen for miles.
Cherryville police Chief Richard Jenks and his lieutenant were driving by when they saw the fire. The pair, along with Hunter’s grandson, rushed in to help.
[PHOTOS: Cherryville home goes up in flames]
The fire department received the call at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday morning and witnesses said there was an explosion just before the house went up in flames.
A propane tank kept rescuers from going inside, so they tried to get Hunter's attention.
(Click PLAY for video of the flames and damage from Chopper 9)
"He was inside, I believe it was the living room area," Jenks said. "The room was filled with smoke. Just kept shouting for him. We attempted to go up to the front porch to try to get him out of the house. There was a large explosion off of a side porch."
Hunter realized his life was in danger and got out.
"Oh, boy. It was awful,” Hunter said. "Lucky. Praise God."
The man's family said he moved into the building, which used to be the historic Beaver Dam Negro School, in 1953. They told Channel 9 that he was uninsured.
Flames shooting out of a Gaston County home. The Cherryville police chief helps to get a man out just before flames spread. pic.twitter.com/cZWWv6MNGG
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) March 15, 2017
Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the aftermath of what was also once the only school for African-Americans in the area.
The fire department said the building was so badly damaged that they were going to let it burn.
James Lomick, Hunter’s nephew, said he went to the school for a year.
“That's all, my whole life. That's all I ever knew,” Lomick said. “That house has a lot of meaning to us."
Lomick said that losing a piece of history is tragic, but he's happy his uncle made it out.
"God is good, man. God is good,” Lomick said.
Hunter was the only person home at the time of the fire, but there were five others who lived at the house
The American Red Cross is helping them.
BREAKING WATCH LIVE: Chopper 9 over a fire at a Gaston County home. Officials say the Cherryville police chief helped to get a man out just before the flames spread. http://on.wsoctv.com/2nad1uu
Posted by WSOC-TV on Wednesday, March 15, 2017
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