Fire destroys

new home in Vilas
By Melanie Davis Marshall

A new home was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning in Vilas.

A neighbor awoke to see the glow of the blaze and called 911 at approximately 1:45 a.m.

Firefighters arrived at 434 R Lane Road off Linville Creek Road to find the new construction completely engulfed in flames.

According to Watauga fire marshal Steve Sudderth, the road to the home was narrow and only one truck could reach the home. Firefighters had to relay trucks with water from Linville Creek to the structure.

Assistance and additional trucks were provided to Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department from Beaver Dam Volunteer Fire Department, Boone Fire Department, Meat Camp Volunteer Fire Department and Zionville Volunteer Fire Department.

Sudderth said the departments had the blaze controlled in less than one hour.

The structure was nearly complete, but unoccupied at the time of the fire. The home, owned by Patrick Beville, was estimated to be 2,000 to 2,500 square feet and was a complete loss.

The exact cause of the fire is undetermined. There were no injuries reported. Units from Watauga Rescue and Watauga Medics were on standby.