Surf City House Fire Near Trailer Bar Sends Thick Smoke Over North New River Drive | Watch

A fast-moving fire swept through a residential area in Surf City on Saturday evening, destroying at least one home and damaging two others near the popular Trailer Bar along North New River Drive, according to local officials.Surf City Police Chief Phillip Voorhees, speaking to WECT News, confirmed that no injuries were reported despite the size of the blaze. The first emergency call came in at 5:40 p.m., and fire crews managed to contain the flames by 6:30 p.m. “It’s a significant loss for the homeowners, but thankfully, no one was hurt,” Voorhees said.Authorities said crews remained on scene late into the evening to douse hotspots and assess damage. Police have urged residents to avoid the 1700 block of North Shore Drive and North New River Drive, both of which remain closed to traffic as investigators examine the scene.#NC“According to Surf City Police Chief Phillip Voorhees, at least one home is destroyed and two others are damaged following a fire.He said no one was hurt.The call came in at 5:40 p.m. By 6:30, the fire was out.” pic.twitter.com/ZzDPjsWzz2— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) October 25, 2025 Residents Share Dramatic Visuals as Thick Smoke Rises Over Surf CitySocial media platforms were quickly flooded with photos and videos of the blaze. One resident posted on Facebook, asking, “What’s on fire here in Surf City?” alongside an image showing a thick black plume of smoke visible across a field. Another described it as an “enormous fire in Surf City,” sharing footage of flames and emergency lights from several streets away.A local community group claimed that “roughly five houses were burning right now across from Trailer Bar,” with one post mentioning a possible propane tank explosion. However, Chief Voorhees cautioned that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no official link to any explosion has been confirmed.Officials Probe Cause, Urge Caution in AftermathFire investigators are now working to determine what sparked the blaze. Eyewitnesses described flames spreading rapidly across adjoining homes before firefighters arrived. As of Saturday night, emergency responders were monitoring the site to prevent reignition and advising residents to stay clear.The Surf City Fire Department, Police Department, and Pender County Emergency Services are collaborating on the ongoing probe. Further updates are expected once the structural assessment and forensic examination are complete.