Spa Koru Temporarily Closes Due to Fire; Second Structural Fire in a Week on Hatteras Island

The Spa Koru building in Avon caught fire on Wednesday night, August 29, and had to temporarily close until further notice. No one was in the building at the time of the fire, which was extinguished quickly by the Avon and Buxton Volunteer Fire Departments, and the structure itself remains intact. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

“Thankfully our awesome sprinkler system did its job and saved our building. However we still have quite a bit of water and smoke damage that we will need time to clean. We will let you know as soon as we can re-open,” read a statement posted by Koru Village. “…Thank you Avon [and Buxton] Volunteer Fire Departments for your quick and [logical] action to help save our building. You’re amazing

The fire at the Spa Koru building is the second fire within a week on Hatteras Island.

On Thursday, August 23, an oceanfront home in Waves was destroyed, but was extinguished in roughly an hour by area responders. Volunteer Fire Departments from Rodanthe, Salvo, Avon, Buxton and Roanoke Island all responded to the Waves fire, as well as the Dare County Fire Marshall, the Dare County EMS, the Dare County Sheriff’s Department, Cape Hatteras Electric Company, and the Dare County Water Department. All four people staying in the home also got out safely, without injury.

“The fire departments did an absolutely fantastic job with an extensive fire that had started at the home [in Waves], and which was spreading quickly,” said Steve Kovacs, Dare County Fire Marshall. “If it wasn’t for the men and women of our local fire departments, there could have easily been a second house involved.”

The investigation into the Waves fire as well as the Spa Koru fire is ongoing, and the Dare County Fire Marshall urges residents and visitors alike to ensure they have a plan in case a fire occurs.

“We get so focused on fire prevention after a fire occurs,” said Kovacs. “A fire can strike at any time, and you need to be ready for it – whether it’s a house fire or it starts outside, you need to think about having a plan, and not just wait until it happens.”

Kovacs also noted that the local fire departments are continually looking for volunteers who are willing to help and support the organizations in any way possible.

“Calls are up for the fire departments across the board,” said Kovacs. “For anyone interested in supporting the fire department and becoming a member in any way, there are opportunities. It takes a lot of work, and it’s very fortunate that the outcomes [for both fires] turned out like they did, and everyone is safe.”