WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Five people are without a home after a fire broke out at a duplex in Wilmington.

A spokesperson for the Wilmington Fire Department said crews were called to Calhoun Drive for a residential structure fire around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1.

The cause of the fire was determined to be an accidental electrical fire that started in the kitchen, per WFD.

According to a spokesperson with the Red Cross, those displaced included one person living in a unit of the duplex and a family of four living in the other unit.

Penny Mays, who lives next door to the duplex that caught fire, told WECT she is grateful the fire didn’t spread to her home.

Mays said a member of the family living in the home at the time of the fire heard a pop in the kitchen.

Mays also believes there was a child living at the home at the time.

“I woke up and saw the home engulfed in flames. I called 911. I was the first caller,” she said. “I was panicking. My chest hurt really bad.”

WFD says the fire was quickly contained and extinguished.

Those displaced are being assisted by the Red Cross.

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