Blaze Rips Through North Carolina Campground; Firefighters Say Propane Tank Shot Up 60 Feet In The Air

A fiery blaze swept through a row campers at Joe and Kay's Campground on Colington Road, Sunday afternoon. As fire fighters worked at the scene, a propane tank shot 60 feet in the air and landed 125 feet north of the flames, coming down through one camper's roof.

"It pretty much burnt the top of the trees," said Fire Chief Kim Piddington, of the Colington Volunteer Fire Department.

The fire - which lasted nearly 2.5 hours - destroyed five campers and at least two others sustained heat damage.

"Thank the good Lord no one was injured," said Shirley Evans of Suffolk, Va., as she examined a burned roof, porch and interior damage to her camper.

The fire started at 4:45 p.m. and heavy smoke and flames were reported seen as far away as the oceanfront. Dare EMS responded along with Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk fire departments.

The fire caused $50,000 of damage, said Doug Remaley, Dare County Fire Marshal. The fire is still under investigation but is believed to be accidental.

No fire service or civilians were injured, Piddington said. Firemen had the blaze under control within 20 minutes of arrival.

Evans and husband, McCoy, a retired fireman, have been camping at the site for eight years. The couple plans to repair the damage caused by the fire.

"We'll be back next year," Evans said.