By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
GOLD HILL ó Firefighters had to remove a tin roof on a 150-year-old house that burned to the ground early Friday morning before they were able to fight the fire.
An unoccupied two-story home at 145 Barber Road, near Morgan and High Rock roads, off U.S. 52, caught fire sometime around midnight.
ěThe people living there moved out about two weeks ago,î said Charles Miller, public information officer for East Gold Hill Fire Department.
Miller said the roof had to be moved out of the way before firefighters could get to the wood structure underneath. It took fire officials about three hours to get the fire under control, using between 9,000 and 10,000 gallons of water.
ěIt burned so hot it took a lot of time and a lot water,î Miller said.
Fire officials were familiar with the house.
ěMost of us knew of the house,î he said Friday morning. ěWe had a couple of hot spots.î
The Rowan County Fire Marshalís Office is investigating to determine a cause.
According to Miller, the house is owned by Tim Agner. ěThereís nothing left,î Miller said.
Other departments also aided Gold Hill, Miller said, which include Liberty, Rockwell Rural, Richfield-Misenheimer and Pooletown fire departments.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.