Houser Transports destroyed by fire, suffers half a million dollars in damage

VALE, N.C. — One of Lincoln County's largest businesses, Houser Transport, was destroyed by a fire Friday around 1 p.m.

Firefighters said a trailer caught fire and the blaze spread through a loading dock and into three other trailers.

The estimated amount of damage is close to half a million dollars.

"It was just a bad accident," Chief Donald Hull of Northbrook Volunteer Fire Department said.

According to Hull, the fire doesn't appear to be suspicious. The trailers were set to take furniture to California.

The company is owned by Sam Houser and was started by his dad in the 70's.

Houser says his employees risked their lives trying to put out the fire before firefighters arrived.

"It just breaks your heart," Houser said. "There wasn't anything anybody could do."

Despite the damage, Houser promises the company will bounce back. He has 150 employees and they are depending on him to be strong.

"We are going to be open Monday morning for business," he said.

One firefighter was injured when embers jumped down his suit while he was inside the loading dock. Chief Hull says he is expected to be okay.

Cox Media Group