Man burned in overnight fire that destroys Matthews home

MATTHEWS, N.C. — A man was rushed to the hospital overnight after a massive fire caused the roof of a Matthews home to collapse.

[PHOTOS: Flames engulf Matthews home]

Fire crews were called just before 1 a.m. to the scene on Sam Newell Road near Northeast Parkway and found heavy flames and smoke coming from the house.

The flames were so intense that firefighters could not enter the home.

"This was a defensive fire from the beginning,” said Matthew Fire Chief Rob Kinniburgh. “Flames were too intense for us to go inside. As soon as we got flames knocked down, we'll do a thorough investigation and search of the structure."

One man was burned and was taken to Carolinas Medical Center. It was not clear how badly that person was hurt.

Firefighters from Matthews, Idlewild and Mint Hill responded to put out the flames.

Investigators are trying to determine how the fire started. The home has been deemed a total loss.

Drivers were urged to avoid Sam Newell Road, and the public works department was called to help lay salt on the road to prevent ice buildup from the water used to fight the fire.

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