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Family escapes unharmed as Hickory lake home goes up in flames

LAKE HICKORY, N.C. — A North Carolina lake home was destroyed in a massive fire Tuesday night.

It took firefighters about two hours to bring the flames under control at the home on 54th Avenue Northeast along Lake Hickory. Authorities said the family was home, getting ready for Thanksgiving with relatives when the fire started.

“The homeowners made it out safely,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Jennifer Lowrance. “They did lose their dog in the fire but there were no injuries reported, so that’s a blessing. Their family was here last night coming in for the holiday, so everyone was safe and well taken care of.”

The flames caused so much damage that the second floor was gone, and firefighters said it was too dangerous to step inside the home.

According to investigators, the blaze caused nearly a million dollars in damage.

A viewer shared photos with Channel 9 of the home engulfed in flames.

The same home caught fire in 2009, but investigators told Channel 9 the two fires are not connected.

As many as seven different fire departments across Catawba County responded to the house fire. Investigators said they haven’t found anything suspicious. There was so much damage that they had to bring in a drone to fly over the home.

Investigators also said the very cold temperatures caused some of the fire hoses to freeze after crews brought the fire under control.

The sheriff’s office along with the SBI were helping with the investigation.

(WATCH BELOW: CHOPPER 9: Iredell County lake house fire)