MT. HOLLY, N.C.,None — Multiple fire departments spent much of Sunday afternoon cleaning up from a massive house fire in Mount Holly.
It took crews more than two hours to get the fire under control.
The fire started in the Stone Water Subdivision at about 1:00 p.m.
"I heard a thud like a boom, not like a bomb, but just like a boom," said Andrew London.
London said it seemed that the blast came from the garage of his neighbor's house and spread quickly.
"We ran around the house banging on the windows and doors, making sure nobody was there," he said.
The owners weren't home at the time, but pulled up minutes after the fire started. They watched as nearly 50 firefighters used water from hydrants and tanker trucks to battle the flames.
VIDEO: Mount Holly House Fire
Firefighters also attacked the fire from behind with a fire boat from nearby Mountain Island Lake.
The fire commander said the heat made their job harder.
"Whenever you're battling a blaze like this, you're not only battling the fire, but the heat as well," said Commander Terry Reavis.
After two and a half hours of fighting the blaze, crews said the house was a total loss.
Only two rooms in the 4,000 square-foot house were left. Neighbors said the house was one of the most beautiful in the neighborhood.
"She's just devastated absolutely devastated," said London.
The Mount Holly Fire Commander said the blaze started on the left side of the house.
It could be several weeks before investigators determine the cause of the fire.
WSOC
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