News Summary
A house explosion on Dogwood Trail in Manteo, NC, left a homeowner injured with serious burns and caused significant property damage. Emergency responders received multiple calls regarding the blast, which destroyed the home and several vehicles. Firefighters contained the blaze, and community members rallied support for the injured homeowner. The cause is under investigation by local authorities.
Manteo, NC – A house explosion on Dogwood Trail in Manteo, North Carolina, at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Friday left one adult homeowner injured and caused extensive property damage. The injured individual, who suffered serious burns, was airlifted to Norfolk General Hospital for treatment.
In addition to the injuries, the explosion destroyed multiple vehicles, including three cars and a boat parked near the residence. Upon the arrival of emergency responders, the home was found fully engulfed in flames, prompting a swift and coordinated response from local fire departments.
The Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department was the first to receive emergency calls reporting the blast. A deputy sheriff who reached the scene noted that the house was completely consumed by fire. In response to the severity of the incident, a second-alarm fire was declared, which mobilized additional fire departments from Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Colington, and Manns Harbor to assist in controlling the situation.
Firefighters managed to contain the blaze within an hour, though they remained at the scene until approximately 9:17 p.m. to address remaining hot spots and ensure the area was safe. A neighboring home to the explosion site did sustain minor damage, but no additional injuries to other residents were reported at that time.
Witnesses reported the explosion as extremely startling, with some residents comparing the sensation to an earthquake. Community members rallied together during the emergency, assisting firefighters by helping to locate nearby fire hydrants and providing water to first responders.
The injured homeowner is a well-known and respected member of the community, and many neighbors have expressed their intent to support him as he recovers from his injuries. The incident has led to a significant outpouring of community compassion and solidarity.
The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation. Authorities involved in the investigation include the Dare County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal. As of now, no conclusions have been drawn regarding the circumstances leading to this serious incident.
This explosion serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can arise within residential areas and the importance of emergency preparedness. Residents in the vicinity have been advised to remain vigilant as the investigation continues and to reach out for help if they have experienced trauma from the incident.
Updates regarding the condition of the homeowner and the investigation will be made available as more information is gathered. Community members are encouraged to provide support where possible to aid in the recovery efforts.
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Additional Resources
- WRAL: Explosion Destroys Outer Banks Home
- Wikipedia: House Explosion
- WTKR: No Cause Determined Yet in Manteo House Explosion
- Google Search: Manteo house explosion
- WTVR: Home Explosion on Dogwood Trail, Manteo
- Google Scholar: Home Explosion Manteo
- 13 News Now: House Explodes in Manteo, Injuring One
- Encyclopedia Britannica: House Explosion
- Southern Living: Manteo, NC
- Google News: Manteo NC explosion

Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.


