House fire in East Lake shuts down U.S. 64 on Dare mainland

Jan. 14 Update:
No one was injured following a house fire on the Dare County mainland that shut down traffic along U.S. 64 between Manns Harbor and the Alligator River early Monday.
The fire involving a single-story home near Pump Road in East Lake started sometime before 5:30 a.m.
A lone occupant escaped and ran to a neighbor’s house who called 911, according to a family member.
Crews from the Manns Harbor, Roanoke Island, Tyrrell County, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Colington fire departments and the N.C. Forestry Service responded to the blaze, but the home was a total loss.
Due to the fire’s proximity to U.S. 64 and nearby wooded area, traffic was blocked in both directions until around 9 a.m.
What may have caused the blaze has not been released.
Also responding were Dare County EMS, Dare County Sheriff’s Office, and N.C. Highway Patrol.
9:30 a.m. Update: U.S. 64 has been opened to one lane.
A house fire on the Dare County mainland shut down traffic along U.S. 64 between Manns Harbor and the Alligator River early Monday.
Multiple social media posts said the fire started sometime before 6 a.m. near Pump Road in East Lake.
According to the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Highway Patrol estimates the road will be closed to traffic between the U.S. 264 intersection and the Lindsay C. Warren Bridge until at least 9 a.m.
Travelers are advised to take alternate routes around the closure, including U.S. 264 and N.C. 94 through Hyde County, or U.S. 158 and U.S. 17 through Elizabeth City.
Dare County Schools said any student impacted by the closure will be granted an excused tardy.
Other details about the fire were not available as of 7:30 a.m.
This is a developing story. Stay with SamWalkerOBXNews.com for updates.