NEWTON, N.C. (WHKY) – A second-alarm commercial structure fire was reported Saturday afternoon (October 3) in Newton. The Newton Fire Department was dispatched around 1 p.m. to the 1100 block of Burris Road after reports of smoke inside a structure.

Crews initially found a large commercial building with no visible fire from the front. At about 1:06 p.m., firefighters confirmed a working fire, with initial reports that two people were inside. Both occupants were later confirmed to have safely evacuated.

Hickory Ladder 2 and Conover Engine 2 were requested to assist, and a second alarm was called around 1:40 p.m. Maiden Fire was also asked to provide standby coverage for Newton while crews operated at the scene. The fire was brought under control around 2:15 p.m.

Newton firefighters also responded to a traffic accident in the 2000 block of Northwest Boulevard during the fire response. Newton Rescue 1 and Conover Engine 2 handled that incident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.