CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte family was able to escape with just the clothes on their backs after a fire gutted their University City home early Monday.
According to Charlotte Fire Department, firefighters responded to a reported house fire in the 2000 block of Conifer Circle a little before 5 a.m.
Family escapes w/just clothes on their backs ahead of house fire that guts their home. #wcnc #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/Cs3Ykzu9yV
— Richard DeVayne (@devayneTV) May 22, 2017
Working structure fire 2008 Conifer Cr; Fire showing on arrival; Station 35 area; 4:52 am; RCannon
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) May 22, 2017
When emergency crews reached the scene, officials say they saw flames and heavy smoke coming from a two-story home.
The homeowner said he awoke to alarms going off inside his home and initially thought it was a dying battery.
"I figured maybe it was a dead battery," he said. "Went into the garage and saw lights on the garage door, which turned out to be fire.
"Once I realized what it was, I called 911, went and grabbed my partner and started yelling for her to get dressed and grab the dog and get out of the house."
After getting to safety, the victim said he checked in with neighbors to make sure they were okay.
Please stick with WCNC.com as more details come available.