GASTON COUNTY, NC (WBTV) -
Flames ripped through a home in Gaston County overnight.
Firefighters said the homeowner may have actually caused more damage to his house because he opened a door.
The damage could have been much worse, but the nearest fire station was just three minutes away, so at about 1 a.m. Monday, emergency crews raced to the home on Dallas-Spencer Mountain Road in Dallas.
Officials said when they arrived, they found the fire blowing out of several windows and through the roof.
Investigators said it started in the back bedroom, and appears to be an electrical problem.
According to firefighters, the homeowner smelled something odd coming from the side of the home. He grabbed the bedroom doorknob, noticed it was hot, then opened the door to investigate.
It's something crews on scene said you should never do.
Once the door was opened, it allowed the fire to escape, and spread quickly.
The two people inside grabbed the family dog and got out of the house.
A cat was missing, but neighbors say it showed up hours later.
The couple is being helped by the Red Cross until they can get back on their feet. Most of the home was saved.
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