By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Five adults and 10 children were displaced by a Sunday morning house fire at East Liberty Street. The fire is still under investigation, officials said Sunday evening.

The fire occurred around 10:19 a.m. at 711 E. Liberty St., and required a number of firefighters because of the complicated nature of the fire and the heat, said Salisbury Fire Capt. James Farley.

Farley said the fire was hard to get to because of some void spaces on the second floor of the home.

The temperature also made for a more difficult response because “with all of our gear, it makes us susceptible to heat issues,” Farley said.

He said firefighters had to rotate more often, and some firefighters were treated at the scene for heat-related injuries. No other injuries were reported. The homeowner confirmed all of the occupants of the home had gotten out when firefighters arrived on the scene.

The last fire truck checked back in at the station after 4:30 p.m., he said.

The people who were displaced by the fire included the homeowner, her adult daughter and sister, said Monica Bruns, a disaster program specialist with the Red Cross.

Bruns said she believes some of those who were living at the home were families the owner was trying to help get on their feet.

“They lost all of their belongings,” Bruns said.

The Red Cross is assisting the family with a place to stay and clothing needs for the next few days. They’ll also work with the families in the coming days.

The following agencies responded: the Granite Quarry, Spencer, Locke, Faith, South Salisbury, Salisbury City, Ellis Cross Country, Rockwell Rural, Rockwell, Union, Miller’s Ferry fire departments, the Rowan County Rescue Squad, Rowan County EMS and the Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.