GASTONIA, N.C. — Investigators are working to determine what caused a house fire in Gastonia overnight Monday.
Our Channel 9 photographer was at the scene on Morningside Park Drive, near New Hope Road, where Ranlo Fire & Rescue crews were still battling smoke and flames just after midnight.
“They come running and screaming and I come out of the room and they’re screaming, ‘It’s burning! It’s burning!’ I didn’t know what was burning but I looked outside and Lord, that whole porch was on fire,” said Lillian Martinez, 90, who survived the fire.
Family mementos, school supplies, clothes, and necessities are gone.
“It started at that shed and came right down the hall,” Martinez said. “I’m shaking like a leaf, inside.”
Martinez, her grandson, and his children escaped. Firefighters resuscitated the family dog, July.
She’s grateful everyone is OK.
“Thank God for those kids because they were the ones that were screaming. Lots of time, I have the TV on, and everybody is out here. It could have gone further,” Martinez said.
There were no injuries, but Martinez said they had nowhere to go.
They can’t afford a hotel overnight and are now searching for a permanent solution. The American Red Cross helped the family.
Check wsoctv.com for updates.
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