Shortly before 5 a.m. today (February 7), Hickory firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire in the area of 2259 6th Street SE. They were advised that the occupants were out of the house but several pets were possibly still inside. Upon arrival, firefighters reported the house was burning with heavy amounts of fire and smoke coming from the structure.

Two occupants were transported to a local hospital to be checked out for possible smoke inhalation. Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and to keep it from spreading to an adjacent wooded area. The Hickory Fire Department responded with two engines, one ladder, rescue truck, three tankers, two command units, and the Mountain View Fire Department also sent a tanker truck.

The home sustained heavy damage in the blaze. The Catawba County Fire Marshal’s office and Hickory Fire Investigators responded to the incident to conduct the investigation. The Red Cross was contacted and will be assisting the occupants. Catawba County Fire Investigators determined the cause of the fire to be accidental and cooking related. It was also reported that at least one pet died in the fire.

[Photo courtesy of Rob Eastwood, WHKY]