Several pets killed in massive Ballantyne house fire that caused $270,000 in damage

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of firefighters were called Monday afternoon to battle a large house fire in a Ballantyne neighboorhood in south Charlotte.

Emergency crews responded around 12:30 p.m. to the two-story home on Jordan Rae Lane, just off Ballantyne Commons Parkway and reported heavy flames and smoke billowing from the roof.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene and watched as firefighters worked to get the massive flames under control. Most of the roof looked to have been destroyed.

It took 40 firefighters to get the flames under control.

Fire officials said no one was home at the time, but several of the homeowner’s pets died.

Firefighters said a neighbor noticed the smoke and called 911.

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Ballantyne house fire (WSOC)

Neighbors told Channel 9 they could see the thick black smoke a few blocks away and thought it might be their house on fire.

“I was on my way home and drove through a big cloud of black smoke on Ballantyne Parkway, so it was definitely odd,” neighbor Brooks King said. “It’s scary. I was pulling in and just praying it wasn’t my house.”

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fire.

[IMAGES: Crews battle large fire at Ballantyne home]

They said the house has significant damage but is not a total loss. The damage is estimated at $270,000. The family will be staying with relatives.

“The crews did a tremendous job getting this fire under control,” said Jason Perdue, Charlotte Fire Department battalion chief.

RAW VIDEO: Chopper 9 over scene of Ballantyne house fire RAW VIDEO: Chopper 9 over scene of Ballantyne house fire

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