Firetrucks from all over the West Rowan area were dispatched to 9176 Highway 152 after the home’s fire alarm system went off around 12:30 p.m.

With the help of a ladder unit provided by Mooresville City Fire Department, firefighters were able to use the elevated stream of water to reach the flames.

Firefighters were unable to enter the home at first because of a terra-cotta style roof. Because of the weight of the roof, firefighters had to deal with the danger of the roof caving in.

“By the time firefighters arrived on the scene, they estimate it was 40 to 50 percent involved, so there was not a whole lot they could do,” said Rowan County Fire Marshall Randall Faggart. “The roof finally collapsed, ruining most of the stuff inside.”

Faggart said that no one was injured by the fire at the home estimated to be worth more than $1 million.

Irvan’s mother-in-law, Helen Baker, arrived as the house was burning. Rescue Squad Chief Coyt Karriker said, “You can imagine how upset she was.”

Baker exclaimed, “Oh my God,” before falling over.

A Rowan County EMS Ambulance transported Baker to Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. She was later discharged.

Irvan and his wife, Kim, daughter Jordan Leah, 6, and son, Jared Lawrence, 2, were vacationing in the Bahamas. They returned home later Saturday.

“It’s been an all-day event,” Karriker said.

Faggart said nobody was in the house at the time of the fire.

Fire crews responding to the blaze said the house may be a total loss.

“If you are coming up the driveway, the fire affected more of the house on the left side, leading us to believe the fire started over there,” Faggart said.

The cause hasn’t been determined.

Faggart estimated the house to be around 7,000 square feet.

“The bigger the house, the more water you have to haul,”Faggart said, explaining the massive response from all of the fire departments.

Departments on the scene included West Rowan, Atwell, Rowan-Iredell, China Grove, Enochville, Mt. Mourne, Shepherds, Mooresville City and South Iredell. Also on the scene was the N.C. Highway Patrol, which helped with traffic that included people going to an estate auction across the street.

The Rowan County Rescue Squad also helped firefighters who needed assistance. Iredell EMS and the Rowan County Sherriff’s department also had people at the home.

Landis and Locke Volunteer Fire Departments handled calls for the fire departments that responded on the scene.

Officials stayed on the scene long after the fire was extinguished.

Faggart said, “Someone will be here all night in case the fire should reignite.”

Irvan’s wife, Kim, raises horses, and those stables were far enough from the home to keep from endangering the animals.