ROCKINGHAM — Yet another vacant home in East Rockingham went up in flames early Wednesday morning.
Crews from the East Rockingham Fire Department pulled out of the station around 3:15 a.m. after being dispatched to a house fire on School Street.
Capt. Kendell Watson said there was “heavy fire throughout” the house when they arrived. Firefighters from Cordova Fire and Rescue responded as automatic mutual aid and Watson said he called for the Rockingham Fire Department to send an engine and manpower 10 minutes after arrival.
Crews were on the scene until after 10 a.m., according to Watson.
No other nearby structures were damaged.
A squatter had been staying at the house, but left 30 minutes before crews arrived, Watson said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
This is the third time the department has responded to a fire at that house.
A pile of trash was set on fire in the basement of the house on May 25, 2021. Crews returned two weeks later, on June 5, to douse a fire on the back porch.
