Fire destroys storage building in Cedar Point

CEDAR POINT - A commercial building used by three Cedar Point businesses was destroyed by fire Saturday.

The blackened two-story structure was still standing as the fire smoldered and firefighters continued their work at the scene, but the damage was severe and little was left of the contents inside and vehicles parked beside it were left burned as well.

The building owned by Linwood Hood of 24/7 Electric Service is located behind his office on Cedar Point Boulevard and was also being used by G.W. Moore Construction and Signs by the Sea, which are located at the same site.

"We're all real close friends; we're like a family," said G.W. Moore as he surveyed the damage.

Moore said Hood is out of state on vacation but he was able to notify him of the fire.

The building was used to store electrical equipment and other items. It also had some office space and exercise equipment upstairs that workers could use, Moore said. He said he lost a motorcycle he kept there and a vehicle parked next to the building.

"You can replace material things," he said.

Fortunately, Moore said, no one was at the building at the time of the 5 p.m. blaze, though there had been people coming and going for work.

"From what I understand, there have been people in and out all day," he said.

Western Carteret Fire Department responded with assistance from area departments including Swansboro, Emerald Isle, Stella, and Broad and Gales Creek.

The fire was under control by 6:30 p.m. but there was no information then on what may have caused the blaze, said Western Carteret Fire Chief James Broadus.

"I can't tell you how it started," he said.

The westbound lanes of N.C. 24 in front of the businesses were closed during the fire to give the fire departments space to park their trucks and roll out water hoses. Westbound traffic used the center turn lane while eastbound traffic remained open.

The main office building used by the businesses received only minor exterior damage on the back side, where heat from the fire caused siding to melt.

Contact Carteret County reporter Jannette Pippin at jpippin@freedomenc.com or 252-808-2275.