Fire claims the home of Alexander County deputy

An Alexander County deputy sheriff and his family lost nearly everything in a house fire last week.

The fire was reported on Tuesday night, June 29, about 10:40 p.m., said Alexander County Fire Marshal Mark Earle, at the home of Sgt. Mike Bruce in Hiddenite. Responding fire departments included Hiddenite, Vashti, and Stony Point crews, along with Alexander Rescue Squad and Alexander County EMS personnel and Alexander County Sheriff’s officers. About 75 people came to the scene to assist the family.

Earle said the fire took about an hour to get under control.

Because Bruce is a County employee, Earle said he called in personnel with the Office of the State Fire Marshal to determine the cause of the fire, and the Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office assisted with the probe. Earle said the fire started from an electrical extension cord.

He stated the fire caused $160,000 to $170,000 of damage to the home and its contents. The home was insured, said the fire marshal.

Earle noted the Bruces stayed with Mr. Bruce’s brother, who lives across the road, on Tuesday night after the fire. Representatives with the American Red Cross assisted the family as well.

Fundraiser created

A GoFundMe page notes that an account has been created to assist the Bruce Family. Details are online at https://gofund.me/a46c3948.