A fire that may have started in the attic burns a home on Craggy Meadows Court in Davidson's River Run neighborhood Tuesday night. (David Boraks photo)

Updated 11:14 pm.
A home in Davidson’s River Run neighborhood was destroyed Tuesday night by a fire that may have started in the attic. The home’s residents escaped injury when they evacuated quickly after discovering smoke around 10 p.m.

Neighbors and other onlookers watched in a steady downpour as the blaze consumed the roof and interior of the home of Robin and Emily Johnson, at 18900 Craggy Meadows Court, a cul-de-sac of five homes off River Falls Drive. The fire turned the rainy sky bright orange, and could be seen from well beyond the neighborhood.

Flames shoot from a home on Craggy Meadows Court, in River Run, as firefighters battle the blaze from a ladder. (David Boraks photo)

Witnesses told DavidsonNews.net that Mr. Johnson, his three children and a dog fled the home after the fire was discovered.

Mr. Johnson told neighbors he heard an unusual noise in the attic of the 15-year-old home, and went to investigate. According to the neighbors, when he pulled down an attic stairway, smoke flowed into the second floor. He and the children immediately evacuated and firefighters were called. (Emily Johnson was not at home.)

Within minutes, firefighters were reporting that flames were already through the roof, according to emergency radio traffic.

By 10:40, sections of the home’s sharply-peaked roof were already collapsing, as firefighters on a high ladder poured water on the blaze. By 11 p.m., most of the flames were quieted, and smoke billowed from the site.

The family was staying with relatives across the street, according to neighbors.

Fire officials were still at the scene early Wednesday and could not be reached for comment on a possible cause.

2 FIRES IN A WEEK

It was the second fire in a week in River Run. On Oct. 19, an electrical fire in a gas heater sent smoke into the upper floor of a home, but did only minor damage. (See Oct. 19, 2009, “Heater fire causes a scare in River Run.”)

The fires in River Run come as town officials study how to address the town’s need for a second fire station on the east side of town, where the town has seen significant growth in recent years. Davidson must add another station over the next two years to satisfy requirements for minimum response times to the east side, or face a cut in its fire ratings. That, in turn, could lead to higher homeowners’ insurance premiums for residents who live in the under-served area.

“I guess that debate about the fire station on the east side of Davidson won’t be debated any more,” said Gary Kerr, whose home on River Falls Drive backs up to the Johnson home that burned Tuesday.

The Town Board at its Oct. 13 meeting heard a consultant’s report that recommended four potential sites for a new station. The board voted to authorize Town Manager Leamon Brice to (See Oct. 13, 2009, “Board asks manager to seek land for second fire station.”)

Last week, Assistant Town Manager Dawn Blobaum told the commissioners in a memo that the town had met with representatives from Hopewell Baptist Church “to begin a conversation about the land they may have available for a new fire station.” She said the church planned to consider the town’s request at its next business meeting.

Tuesday’s fire was the most serious in Davidson since July 2007, when workers installing a fence at a home on Delburg Street accidentally cut a gas line and sparked a blaze. That home also was destroyed.

(CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct that Emily Johnson was not at home at the time of the fire.)

Firefighters respond to fire at River run home

Davidson and Cornelius firefighters were responding to a “working fire” at a home at 18900 Craggy Meadows Court, in the River Run neighborhood, around 10:15 p.m.

Shortly after the initial response, Davidson firefighters called for additional units, plus Medic. Flames were reported through the roof, according to radio reports from the scene. Residents were reportedly evacuated.

We’re seeking additional information.

UPDATE: Brenda Barger’s Nov. 26, 2009 Around Davidson column provides an update on the family. CLICK HERE>