A child playing with a lighter and spectators who blocked the path of firetrucks combined to destroy an Artz Road home on Christmas Day.
At about the same time, an Enochville home was heavily damaged by a fire that officials believe was intentionally set.
What had been a typical scene of a family celebrating Christmas turned tragic for the Ted Galvin family at 2829 Artz Road, near Faith.
Rowan Fire Marshal Arthur Delaney said the Galvins’ 7-year-old son was playing with a cigarette lighter in the basement.
He came running upstairs to tell his mother, Sandra, that there was a fire. By the time they got downstairs the fire was out of control.
The family called 911 and fled the house.
Bostian Heights, Faith and several other fire departments responded to the call, but became stymied by the inability to get water to the fire.
Delaney said the smoke from the fire was visible for miles and people clogged the road to get a look.
In the process, they blocked the path of tankers hauling water from two nearby water points.
Delaney said the firefighters mounted a valiant attack to save the house but couldn’t get the water they needed.
Firefighters could hear the sirens and horns of the tankers, trying to blast the traffic out of the way. But tankers couldn’t get through the traffic.
“People were just stopping their cars, getting out and leaving them. It was ridiculous,” said Delaney. “We finally had to send firemen to clear the road.”
By the time the road was cleared and tankers could provide adequate water, the walls were falling in. “Onlookers played a major part,” said Delaney.
He estimated the value of the brick house at $120,000. It was a total loss.
The family watched as the blaze consumed everything.
Emergency medical staffers treated Sandra Galvin on the scene when she became distraught.
Family members and friends were on the scene trying to assist the family Monday night.
In the second fire Christmas Day, a home in the Tanglewood subdivision was heavily damaged.
Enochville, Atwell and Kannapolis firefighters responded to the Melvin Payne residence at 221 Ridgecrest Drive around 6:30 p.m.
Delaney said the fire was very intense, but firemen got in the house and stopped its march from the garage area.
The Paynes said they were home and came outside to find a fire in the garage. They attempted to put it out, but failed.
Delaney estimated the damage at $35,000.
Firefighters were able to save about half of the house, and the family was able to salvage some items.
The cause is under investigation, and arson is suspected, according to the fire marshal.
The Paynes and their grandson were going to spend the night with family.
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