After observing smoke inside the Bodie Island Lighthouse’s Double Keepers’ Quarters (DKQ), staff from Eastern National – the operator of the building’s retail store – called 911 at around 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, to report a potential fire.
Upon arriving at the Bodie Island Light Station, the Nags Head Fire Department reported seeing smoke coming from the DKQ’s four chimneys. All occupants safely exited the building, and a fire at the site was extinguished with no reported injuries.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is evaluating the internal damage to the structure and is working with the Nags Head Fire Department to investigate the incident.
In the meantime, the Bodie Island DKQ is closed indefinitely due to the investigation, and for any needed but as-yet undetermined repairs to the structure.
The Nags Head Fire Department, Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department, Kill Devil Hills Fire Department, Colington Fire Department, and Dare County Emergency Medical Services all responded to the incident.
“Cape Hatteras National Seashore is grateful for the timely response to this afternoon’s fire by multiple local fire departments,” stated David Hallac, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent. “Their efforts minimized damages to this historic structure.”
