By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
LANDIS — The cause of a late night fire has not been determined, fire officials said a day after a duplex on Sheppard Plant Road burned.
The fire began before 9 p.m. at 480 Sheppard Plant Road and was spotted by neighbors.
When firefighters arrived, the duplex was already burning, said Frank Greene, public information officer for Atwell Township Fire Department.
Greene said the fire is still under investigation.
The fire burned through the roof. Firefighters had to attack the fire by going through the left side apartment.
There was fire in the attic, and since both apartments shared the attic space, the fire began spreading to the other apartment via the attic.
“One of the apartments is a total loss,” Greene said.
The other apartment, on the left, had water and smoke damage.
The occupants to the homes were not there when the fire occurred, Greene said.
One of the renters had left the apartment about a half an hour prior to the fire.
It took firefighters about two hours to completely put out the fire.
The American Red Cross assisted the families as did the owner of the duplex, Greene said.
In addition to Atwell, other fire departments that included Landis, Enochville and China Grove also responded. The Rowan County Rescue Squad, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and the county fire marshal’s office also were at the scene.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.